Animal Fun Day Attracts Crowd

Ernie Bighorn of the Spotted Bull Recovery Resource Center feels that horsemanship teaches valuable lessons so he was pleased with the outstanding turnout at the animal fun day held at the Wadopana Grounds on Thursday, July 10.

The substance free event was geared toward families. It included horse rides, health information and a free breakfast and lunch.

“Parents need to stay with kids here so they learn safety with the horses,” Bighorn said. He explained if people learn to teach horses well, they can then treat other individuals well. He estimated Thursday’s event attracted more than 1,000 people. “We get people from New York, Nevada, all over the place,” Bighorn said.

He explained such a camping day is help the day prior to the various pow-wows on the Fort Peck Reservation. Horses are provided by different owners contracted through Spotted Bull.

Tribal health performs the health instruction. The Fort Peck Community College’s agriculture department takes care of the meals.

Students in the Nakoda Dakota Oyate youth council, under the direction of Carrie Manning, helped out throughout the day.

“They learn if they work, they get paid,” Bighorn said of the students.

Bighorn thanked Dale Four Bear, director of Spotted Bull, for supporting the program. Among the other individuals who made the day successful, according to Bighorn, are assistant Bruce Bauer, horse coordinator Clarice Smoker and grants manager Courage Crawford.

Ernie Bighorn is glad that the fun day is held during the weekend of the Wolf Point Wild Horse Stampede.

“It’s a big part of it,” he said. “You see a lot of people here.”