‘Trying to keep their memory’: Black Bear Indian Relay reflects on first event since tragic barn fire

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“We’re just going back to our roots, smudging and praying and keeping it Indigenous and really staying grounded that way.” 

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'Trying to keep their memory': Black Bear Indian Relay reflects on first event since tragic barn fire

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Peeaychew said the first day was the toughest part of the event, but the team did its best to honour the memory of its horses. 

“You’re supposed to be here racing with them and, sadly, they’re not here. Just trying to keep their memory with me and try to do it for them. I won world championships with them. The horses mean the world to me. They saved me in many ways, and I’m forever grateful for the horse and the horse spirit.” 

After a second-place finish in its preliminary heat, Black Bear won the consolation heat by a significant margin. Peeaychew said he was confident he could keep the lead once he reached his second horse, despite trouble on the first exchange the previous day. 

“I knew I had it once my second horse left the box, and just very, very grateful for my horses, the way they worked. They work their heart out for me.” 

Peeaychew said the exchange issue was in the back of his mind during the first lap, but he was confident his horse would improve the second time around. 

“Obviously it plays in a guy’s head. Is he going to do it again or not is definitely the question. But I’ve had him all year, and they’re just like humans. They have their good days and their bad days, and I didn’t hold it against him. Yesterday must have been a bad day for him because today was amazing. So just very happy he bounced back and we had a clean run.” 

As the team moves forward after the tragedy, Peeaychew said he is grateful for the support it has received from Saulteaux First Nation and the Meadow Lake area. 

“There’s too many thank-yous to say. On behalf of Black Bear, we just want to thank everyone for the support and all the messages,” he said. 

“Whether it was offering money, lumber, hugs, horses, whatever it was, thank you from the bottom of our hearts, and thank you for being there for us and supporting us.” 

— 

Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com