Relayhorse e-magazine March 2018 RHeM mayl 2018 5 8 18 FINAL | Page 20

May 1, 2018 Canadian Indian Relay Race Association (CIRRA) Experiences Great Success in First Year By: Nancy Harrison, Executive Editor, RELAYHORSE FROM THE DESK OF Dexter Bruisedhead President of the C.I.R.R.A Dexter Bruised Head, a member of the Blood Tribe of First Nations in Canada attended the 2016 Indian Relay Race Finals in Billings, MT. He returned home with the inspiration to form a Canadian Indian Relay Racing Association. Through his hard work and the support of others who were also interested in promoting Relay Races put together the Canadian Association. 2017 saw participation from teams from both Alberta and Saskatchewan. He wrote a rule book and created the structure for the organization, promoted memberships and sanc- tioned races throughout the year, ending with Championships. Dexter grew up in Southern Alberta with horses being a big part of his family since the 1900’s when his grandfather became a rodeo champion in calf roping and bronc riding, winning events at the Calgary Stampede in the 1920’s. This began the tradition of horse sports that has carried forward for four generations. His involve- ment in Indian relay also includes, captain of Quarter Moon Express Indian relay team which last competed in 2016. Dexter’s history with the horse includes competing in the rodeo circuit at a young age. Championships include: Two-time Alberta High School Bareback riding champion with two qualifications to the National High School rodeo finals in Rapid City South Dakota in 1985 and 1986. He earned a Rodeo Scholarship from the College of Southern Idaho where he graduated with a Degree in Associate of Applied Science in Agra Busi- ness. He’s qualified 5 times for the Indian National Finals Rodeo. Dexter and his wife have four children and 2 grandchildren. Son’s Marti and Ryker both competed in events such as the Warrior Race and Little Pony Relay. They currently own a small ranch and enjoy raising horses. CIRRA is in the midst of a membership drive at this time. There are sixteen member teams as of the first of May representing 10 differ- ent tribes. One team from the USA joined CIRRA last year and ended up winning the Championship Title - Young Money! With growing membership and good numbers of fans attending events, the purses are growing as well, providing a high amount of prize money for the winners. 2017 First Nations participating in CIRRA events included List of Canadian First Nations involved in Indian Relay in 2017: Alberta: Blood Tribe, Peigan Nation, Siksika Nation, Saddle Lake First Nation. CANADIAN INDIAN RELAY RACING ASSOCIATION PO BOX 747, STANDOFF, AB, T0L 1Y0, PHONE [phone] EMAIL [email protected] C.I.R.RA MEMBERSHIP 20 Saskatchewan: Red Pheasant First Nation, Mosquito First Nation, Flying Dust First Nation, Mistawasis First Nation, Whitefish First Nation CIRRA President Dexter Bruised Head is looking forward to a great year of Indian Relay Racing in Canada in 2018. We will be talking with Dexter each month for this article in RELAYHORSE so watch for news and updates from Canada! The CIRRA Facebook page