A return of the Buffalo Runners

For a deeper history see:

By Will Colford, SnowSeekers Inc.           

     

      “We didn’t know until four o’clock last night, and then we got the call from the Olympic committee. We are very proud of our grandson,” said Liander Strikes With A Gun, grandfather of today’s torchbearer, Mike. In addition to being selected for the torch relay, Mike was selected or “captured” for another prestigious and historical society: the Buffalo Runners. 

            Ken Williams, who reinstituted the society, told me that before the introduction of the horse and rifle, Native bands would use sites like Head Smashed In to great affect.  The Society of Buffalo Runners was a separate group within each tribe. It was their mandate to identify runners at a young age and “capture” them into the society. A very spiritual affair, these elite runners would be trained and instituted to herd the buffalo to these site. The Runners were prided for their speed, legendary endurance, and skill.

            The real work of the Runners began after locating the herd. “There would be a few runners in the front and a few behind the herd. It was the rear runners’ job to haze the buffalo. They’d wear coyote skins and act as predators pushing the herd forward. The runners in the front would dress as buffalo calves and goad the matriarchal sows ahead by calling out to them,” explained Williams. This way the runners in the front would pull the herd along. 

            The runners would move the herd in this manner all the way to a large gathering basin just behind the cliff. Once there, an appropriate time would be selected based on many factors. “Sunrise is always a good time for both spiritual and practical reasons.”             After inciting a stampede, the rear runners would haze the buffalo ever forward.  The community would be on hand to haze any splintering buffalo back on course. The forward runners, however, were in danger of being trampled. Through their training, however, they would have previously scouted spots – such as boulders or crevasses – in which to quickly duck into. The noise of a herd of stampeding buffalo, thundering overhead and all around must have been terrifying.

             This is the society that Mike Strikes With A Gun, today’s torchbearer, is apart of. The society is very prominent today thanks to the efforts of people like Williams. A runners’ rally is held every few years that carries the community’s own ‘torch’ across hundreds of kilometers of prairie. Like the Olympic torch relay, “It’s not competitive. It’s not for points or high scores. It’s to unite the community, by bringing people together within one of our oldest traditions.”

Make sure to catch the Travel Alberta Olympic Torch Relay videos on YouTube at 
http://www.youtube.com/user/TravelAlbertaCanada

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The light of Lethbridge

By Will Colford, SnowSeekers Inc.

Shaking off the cold, they stood backstage in high spirits, waiting to go on. The University of Lethbridge Women’s Choir were about to sing the official community theme song – composed by Gregory Charles – There’s a Light. 

            “It a great song and is a lot of fun compared to what we usually sing,” said Naggie Ambler. “You can tell time really went into creating it, and having sections in both English and French speaks to our Canadian identity.” 

            The ladies recognize the prestige of being selected for the song. “Having the flame come to Lethbridge is a once in a lifetime opportunity, but then to be selected to sing the official community song for our community is just indescribable,” says Ambler.

            But then, it may not be all that surprising for a choir from the University to be selected to represent a community it is such a big part of. The University of Lethbridge is – to put it simply – involved. Southern Alberta is a sports centric region, and the facilities at the University hold every major elementary, high school, and semi-professional sporting event south of Calgary. 

            However, the University contributes in another major way, and is largely responsible for giving Lethbridge and Southern Alberta such a strong arts scene. 

            “Not only are the fine arts a huge part of the program, but the University exposes Lethbridge and Southern Alberta to five new forms of theatre every year,” said Alexa Shapiro, a current student of the theatre program. “Very shortly, the theatre program is putting on a rendition of the musical, Hair.  For a Southern Alberta community, Hair should raise a few eyebrows.

            As the Women’s Choir finishes a heart-felt and melodic rendition of There’s a Light, it’s apparent that light in Lethbridge is due in no small part to the University and its students.

            Make sure to catch the Travel Alberta Olympic Torch Relay videos on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/TravelAlbertaCanada

Delivering the pages

By Will Colford, SnowSeekers Inc.

Jeannine Patrick is no stranger to the news industry. Over the summer she delivered papers for the local Taber Times. “Who are you with? Taber Times or the Herald?”  She asks. Her boldness only helps foreshadow her future in the industry. 

“I think the torch coming through town will most likely make the paper. I’d put it in if I ran it.” Jeannine is not only one of the local Taber people, lined along the street to see the torch run by their homes, she is also apart of the school choir selected to sing the national anthem during today’s cauldron ceremony. So, not only does she aspire to report the news, but she’s also – for today – apart of it. 

Her father, Malcolm is understandably proud of his daughter. “Her singing in the choir today makes her apart of the history and legacy of the torch as it comes through this town.” 

Though she still has the world in front of her, Jeannine knows success is made through dedication and hard work. “Delivering papers was hard, but I made one $125.00.  It was worth it.” As the torch connects her and others like her to a greater tradition, it’s an experience she will always carry.

Make sure to catch the Travel Alberta Olympic Torch Relay videos on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/TravelAlbertaCanada

Overcoming Challanges

By Will Colford, SnowSeekers Inc.

    As an avid snowboarder, it shocked me to see a thriving ski hill in Drumheller Alberta; however, having learned on a river valley hill myself it should have came as no surprise such a small hill fosters such big dreams.

    Having been opened for approximately 15 years, Drumheller Ski area faces constant challenges to keep the lift turning and the snow flying.  One local is no stranger to facing challenges and is very glad the hill, like himself, rises to the occasion, giving him a place to train and ski.  Jay Dekyser raced during the World Special Winter Games in Quebec last year.

    "Fifth fastest in the country," exclaims Dekyser.  He is proud of his accomplishments, as is the greater Drumheller community and his coach Martin McSwede -- Drumheller's lead torchbearer.

    The hill, coincidentally, is located one hoodoo away from the cauldron site.  "Having the flame come to this spot means a lot for our winter program and athletes such as Jay," said McSwede.

    Without hills like the Drumheller ski area and their enduring spirit to provide the community with facilities and training programs, Alberta would be without many prominent Olympians and opportunities for athletes like Dekyser's love for skiing and the local hill are synonymous: it lets him "go real fast ... real fast."