19-Year-Old Alberta Bull Rider Thrown During First Nations Rodeo, Dies From Injuries

Condolences pour in for family and friends of young cowboy

Canada's health care costs are largely hidden from the average taxpayer, suggests a recent report from The Fraser Institute. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)

A 19-year-old Alberta bull rider competing in the Stoney Nakoda Rodeo was wounded during the event and died from his injuries.

Seth Saulteaux was an up-and-coming cowboy on the indigenous rodeo circuit, taking part in a four-day rodeo qualifier for the U.S.-based Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR). The young bull rider, who also competed in steer riding as a teenager, was bucked off and fatally injured at a rodeo on July 2 at the Chiniki Rodeo Grounds in the Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation, west of Calgary.

“My baby brother made his journey home today after his last ride,” said Saulteaux’s older sister, Lita Krawler, sharing more than a dozen photos of her brother on Facebook.

“Was there with him till his last breath. It’s so unbelievable that you’re gone now bro, you came and stayed at the house this weekend for the rodeo, we laughed and cried. He was telling me about his plans and what his goals were,” she wrote.

Krawler, also involved in the rodeo circuit, described her younger brother as having “the biggest heart” with “big dreams for himself.” She said he was goofy and silly growing up, with a bright smile and “cowboy wisdom.”

“He was always positive and even reminded me to keep going, keep riding, that we’ll make it to the big shows,” she said. “You taught me lots, brother, and led to nothing but good things. You will always be my baby brother. I’m going to miss you so much!”

‘Devastating Loss’

Condolences and photos poured in from friends and family and the rodeo industry.

In a social media post, the INFR extended “heartfelt condolences to the Saulteaux family in the loss of their beloved Seth.”

“Seth, a dedicated bull rider was an up and coming star in the INFR circuit and his leaving us the way he did impacts us all, especially the INFR family. Ride in peace young man,” said the rodeo. They asked supporters to pray for the family and friends of Saulteaux.

Ermineskin Cree Nation in Hobbema, Alberta, said in a social media post on July 3 that the death of Saulteaux over the Canada Day long weekend was “a devastating loss for the family and for the rodeo community; along with our nation members, friends and families who loved and supported this young cowboy.”

Jenn Crowchild, a relative, said that Saulteaux, whose traditional name was Golden Eagle Feather “Osaw kihiwikwan,” was a son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend. “Seth comes from a long blood line of rodeo, hockey & pow wow families... His family bloodlines stem from the Maskwachees Cree, Tsuut'ina, Daota Sioux & Stoney Nakoda Nations.”

“Seth made friends his family, and families made Seth their family,” said Crowchild. “He left us all doing what he loved.”

She said, “Seth loved being a cowboy.”

Marcie Marvel Saulteaux, Seth’s aunt, said she had the “great privilege” to raise the young bull rider as her own for half of his life. Shortly before his death, Saulteaux texted asking if she had arrived at the rodeo yet, because he was hungry. She said after his death that the cooler was still in the vehicle trunk with the young man’s “rodeo eats.”

On June 4, she said that Saulteaux’s body had been released and was being transported to a funeral home in Wetaskiwin.

Cowboy Dream

Saulteaux’s friend Jacob Todechine said the young bull rider always had a smile on his face. “It is very unfortunate and heartbreaking to hear about this young cowboy passing away. I had the chance to really get to know him from watching him grow up at rodeos from riding steers,” he said.

Saulteaux loved riding, he added. “When you do something that you love very much, you chase that dream and that’s what Seth did.”

Homer Holloway, part of the Nation’s Canada Day Rodeo Committee, told the Aboriginal People’s Television Network, an indigenous-owned broadcasting company, that Saulteaux, of the Ermineskin Cree Nation, was hit in the back of the head by the bull’s horn, and also sustained a blow to the chest, after being thrown from the animal during the competition.

“He had a helmet on. The helmet didn’t even crack or anything, but the bull rider was helped up and he walked out of the arena, went behind the bucket chutes and that’s where he collapsed,” said Holloway.

He received medical care at the scene and an ambulance was called, but he passed away before he could be transported to the hospital.

Reg Fountain, emergency management director for the Stoney Nakoda Nation, said the young man suffered a traumatic injury to his head. He confirmed that the bull rider collapsed after leaving the arena, and could not be revived by paramedics. Fountain said Saulteaux was wearing a helmet and following the safety protocols required.

The Canadian Press contributed to this story.