Three generations of Sicangu Lakota: (Left to right) Clifford “Pops” Marshall Sr., Dacie Marshall and Owen Marshall. PHOTO COURTESY/OWEN MARSHALL
ROSEBUD, SOUTH DAKOTA –– Kevin Costner was amazed when he couldn’t find any Indian horseback riders for some of the scenes in his movie, “Dances with Wolves.” He finally enlisted the help of some of the mixed blood Indian cowboys that were still riding the rodeo circuit in the 1980s. But the bygone days of Indian cowboys has not been forgotten and there will be an honoring ceremony to commemorate those days. A family of the well-known, well respected and much missed rodeo announcer, Clifford “Pops” Marshall Sr., will be remembering him with an event that invites men and women from the rodeo circuits to participate in various competitions at the 4th Annual Clifford “Pops” Marshall Sr. Memorial Chute Out. The event will be held in Rosebud on May 26, 2012 at “high noon” at the John Waln Memorial Arena. Entries are open, with events including a Seniors Wild Horse Race, Senior Bulls, Jr. Wild Horse Race, Mexican Poker and Wild Memorial Ride. The Marshall family opens the memorial to other families who wish to have their loved ones remembered during the Chute Out. “We had put this event on because we love our hometown cowboys and wanted them remembered for years to come to help families heal,” explain Owen Marshall, son of Pops Marshall. “Memorial rides and honoring all keeping the families involved and busy, help the healing process.” The additional memorials include those for, Tressie and Eddie Farmer Sr; Austin Janis; Doc Menard Sr; Wilma Whipple; James Fallis; Cecil Scott; Tuck Colombe; Pete Wilcox; Keith Whipple; Roger Larvie Sr.; Floyd Clairmont; Seth-Henry Dubray; Marion and Jeri Murray; Jeff Waln; Arron Larvie; Gladys Two Charge and Jody Thin Elk. This year will include the memory of Ted “Gov” Means, who passed away earlier this year. “It started with my dad Cliff. He was a rodeo announcer. He loved the bull riding and wild horse race. You can hear the excitement in his voice when the events came close,” said Owen Marshall, who founded the memorial along with Alex Whipple. “Powwow has their way of honoring people so we wanted to create a place to honor our cowboys and cowgirls.” More information about the memorial Chute Out is available through Owen Marshall, who can be reached by phone at (605) 828-2039. (Contact Karin Eagle at staffwriter2@nsweekly.com)
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