Miss Rodeo Crow Fair, Gabrielle Plenty Hawk presents the American Flag during Grand Entry at 97th annual Crow Fair Rodeo, August 16, 2015. Photo courtesy A Cheyenne Voice
Gabrielle Plenty Hawk Miss Crow Fair 2015
‘Teamwork makes the Dream Work’
By Clara Caufield
Native Sun News Correspondent CROW AGENCY, Mont. –– For the past year, 17 year old Gabrielle Plenty Hawk, Miss Crow Fair 2015, a junior at Lodge Grass High School, has been very busy, an ambassador for the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Tribes at numerous rodeos and western events throughout Montana. Last year, for example, she was the first Native American rodeo queen to participate in a Montana Pro rodeo event, representing both sides of her heritage when her late great grandparents were inducted into the Montana Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame. Pauline Whitemanrunshim Small, Crow, and Ivan Small Sr., Northern Cheyenne were recognized for lifelong contributions to the sport of rodeo and the western heritage. “Rodeo is part of our family tradition,” says the soft spoken and modest young lady. Vying for the rodeo queen title was a spur of the moment decision, she explained. “Last year, we came to check out the rodeo and cheer on some of our family who were competing,” she smiled. “The queen contest was going on, so I entered, - just like that. It was an honor to be selected.” Contestants are judged by their horsemanship skills, no problem for this young lady who has been riding since she could walk, a barrel racer and breakaway roper who manages a string of several personal horses, Billy Bob being her favorite and Thumper (featured in the photo) another. Personal appearance, grooming and attire are also considered as is public speaking. Currently, Gabrielle sports handcrafted chaps, including a hot pink logo in memory of another great grandmother, Faith Birdfaraway who passed from breast cancer and the Rocking YB Bucking Bulls, a company owned by Mike and Jess Young Bird, relatives who help her “keep it together.” “Don’t take a No! Don’t let anyone say you can’t do anything,” is her personal creed which she often shares with other young Natives. Rodeo, however, is just one interest for this honor roll student, who is determined to join the Army, aspiring to become an officer, also a family tradition. Lodge Grass High School is the only Native American school in the state, she said, to have a Jr. Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC). Gabrielle is a proud member, holding the position of Battalion and Mission Operations Officer. Her inspirations are aunt Cali Cloud, a 101st airborne officer with a master’s degree and her great grandfather, Ivan Small, Sr. who also served with the 101st Airborne in WW II. “Every generation of our family has served in the military,” she explained. “I will be the next one.” Earlier this year, Gabrielle was thrilled to attend a national JROTC Jr. Cadet Leadership camp in Casper, Wyoming, one of four selected to represent the State of Montana, and the only Native American female to participate. “We stayed at an actual Army base and got to fly in a Black Hawk,” she enthused. “That was so amazing.” Plenty Hawk is also a devoted member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) recently part of the Lodge Grass High School team which won a State title in the category of Native American Customs. Her team will soon participate at the national level to be held in Louisville, Kentucky where she thinks they have a good chance of winning. “We work very hard on our presentation,” she smiles. As part of that effort she coined the phrase “Teamwork makes the Dream Work”, a slogan on t-shirts which she also produces as a budding entrepreneur. Otherwise, the busy teen is also the captain of the Lodge Grass cheerleading squad, a varsity volleyball and basketball player and addicted to golf. “I love that sport. Isn’t that crazy?” she giggled. In typical Native style, Gabrielle acknowledges her many extended family members who support her. “They set a high bar,” she explained. In addition to those earlier mentioned in this article, she notes great grandmother, Alice Mae LaForge who lived to age of 92, a direct descendant of legendary Crow Chief, Pretty Eagle; Clinton LaForge, uncle and key supporter; grandparents John and Francine Small; grandfather Ivan Small Jr.; a favorite uncle Johnny Small; parents, Glenn Plenty Hawk and Kurrie Small and her two siblings, John and Francine. “I couldn’t do any of this without them,” she modestly concluded. (Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com.) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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