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Biography: Tom Three Persons

Tom Three Persons was a legendary cowboy who made history! He was born in 1888 on the Kainai Nation reserve in Alberta, Canada, which is home to the Blackfoot people.

From a young age, Tom loved horses. He spent a lot of time around them, learning how to ride and take care of them. He became an excellent horse rider and was known for his special way of communicating with horses.

In 1912, a big event called the Calgary Stampede started in Canada. It was a festival where cowboys showed off their skills in things like horse riding, roping, and racing. Tom decided to enter a challenging competition at the Stampede known as the saddle bronc event.

In the saddle bronc event, a cowboy has to ride a horse that's trying to buck him off. It's not easy, and it takes a lot of skill and bravery. The horse that Tom had to ride was named Cyclone, a horse that no one else had been able to stay on.

But Tom was not like other cowboys. He had a calm and kind way with horses. When he rode Cyclone, he stayed on the horse for the full time and won the competition! He was the first Indigenous person to win a World Championship at the Calgary Stampede.

After that, Tom became a famous cowboy. He continued to compete in rodeos and won many prizes. But he always stayed true to his Blackfoot heritage and his love for horses.

Tom Three Persons showed us that with kindness, bravery, and skill, we can achieve great things. He is a reminder that no matter where we come from, we can make history!

Before there were buildings and roads, the land where Calgary is now was home to many Indigenous peoples. These are the original people who took care of the land for thousands of years.

The people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut'ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations) have a deep history with this land.

There were also the Métis people, who have their unique culture, combining First Nations and European ways of life. The Métis Nation of Alberta Region III is part of this community.

These Indigenous peoples lived off the land. They hunted buffalo, fished in the rivers, and gathered plants for food and medicine. They also held special ceremonies to celebrate and give thanks for nature's gifts.

These original peoples of Calgary had a deep respect for the land and everything on it. They believed in living in harmony with nature.

Today, we honor these Indigenous peoples. We recognize their strong history, their valuable knowledge of the land, and their important contributions to our community. We also acknowledge the struggles they faced when settlers arrived and their ongoing efforts for recognition and rights.

Let's remember to respect and care for the land as the original peoples did. And let's appreciate the rich cultures and traditions they continue to share with us today.

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