Amazing Albertans!

Known as the “father of Canadian rodeo,” Guy Weadick is arguably one of the most important figures in the sport’s history. A first-generation Irish American, Weadick was born in New York in 1885. He went west at age 20 and learned to cowboy in Wyoming.

Guy Weadick began his career in 1908 as a trick roper with the 101 Ranch Show. He also performed a roping act in vaudeville and wrote a column for Billboard Magazine, in which he promoted performers like Will Rogers and Tom Mix.

In 1912 Guy Weadick organized the first Calgary Stampede in Alberta province. With financing from Canadian ranchers, he recruited the best cowboys and cowgirls and leased the best livestock in North America and Mexico. Weadick directed the 1912 production, and within a decade this master showman built the Stampede from a “ranch rodeo” into a pioneer of mass entertainment. The Stampede offered big cash prizes in the competitive events and featured unusual, crowd-pleasing acts like chuck wagon races.

In 1932 Weadick left the Stampede and retired to his ranch south of Calgary. In later years he occasionally performed in vaudeville. He died in 1953.

Peter Lougheed was the 10th premier of Alberta and, to many, is still considered the best. He fought Ottawa to maintain control over Alberta's oil revenues and the constitution, started the Heritage Trust Fund and initiated the Alberta Bill of Rights.

Grant MacEwan was beloved for his simple approach to life. An avid writer, he was once Calgary's mayor and was appointed lieutenant-governor in 1966. He was well before his time with a keen interest in the environment and his belief that destructive waste and exploitation are sins.

Grant Notley’s contributions to Alberta politics were brief but meaningful. The former NDP leader was killed in a plane crash in 1984. The fact voters chose him 30 years later, speaks volumes about his personal character. He advocated co-operation and fairness in the house and held the government accountable. Voters didn't take to his party but they admired and respected the man.

Lanny McDonald is an icon in this community, as much for his work off-ice as on. He'll forever be linked to the Flames Stanley Cup-winning team of 1989. But it's what he's done since then that generated a lot of votes. People were drawn to his charity work, in particular a long-standing involvement with Special Olympics.

Martha Cohen's name is synonymous with Calgary's arts community. The Martha Cohen Theatre bears the generous philanthropist's name and she played a key role in fundraising for the Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts as well as other institutions in the city.

Margaret Elizabeth Southern is a Canadian businesswoman, noted as a co-founder of the Spruce Meadows equestrian park near Calgary.

Born in High River, Alberta, she graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Physical Education degree in 1953. She joined the University of Calgary in her early career, becoming the first female physical education instructor on that campus. She served as Elizabeth II's Canadian Lady-in-Waiting during the Queen's 1990 royal tour of Canada. She was made a lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order for her service to the Canadian sovereign.

She was married to ATCO chair Ron Southern until his death in 2016. The Southerns opened Spruce Meadows in 1975, a facility that remains an international-grade equestrian sports facility today. Southern has also participated on various business, community and non-profit boards during her career.

In 1988, she was honoured with her home province's highest civilian award, the Alberta Order of Excellence, after becoming a member of the Order of Canada the previous year. Within the Order of Canada she was promoted to highest chief Officer level in October 1993 and Companion in December 2007 for having "demonstrated passionate leadership and commitment to sport as a professional and volunteer".

Crowfoot (Isapo-muksika, or "Crow Indian's Big Foot") was head chief of the Blackfoot (Siksika) tribe. A great orator and warrior, Crowfoot contributed in a significant way to the peaceful settlement of the Canadian West.

Crowfoot was born around 1830 on the Belly River, near present-day Lethbridge, Alberta. He first went to war at about the age of thirteen and showed great bravery in striking an enemy tipi with his whip and rescuing his wounded brother. He was in nineteen engagements with enemy tribes and was wounded six times. His greatest feat of bravery occurred in 1866 when, in full view of his camp, he killed a grizzly bear with a spear. Shortly thereafter he became leader of the Big Pipes Band, and by 1870 he was one of three head chiefs of the tribe.

Crowfoot maintained good relations with the Hudson's Bay Company, appreciating that, unlike American traders, they did not flood the land with alcohol. Crowfoot also befriended the Catholic missionary Albert Lacombe in 1865 and later rescued him when he was in a camp that was attacked by a Cree war party. Crowfoot allowed Lacombe to preach to his people, though Crowfoot himself paid little attention to Christianity.

In 1874, when the North-West Mounted Police extended their control over western Canada, Crowfoot established friendly relations with its commander, James F. Macleod. In 1877 he willingly signed the Blackfoot treaty (Treaty Number 7) with the Canadian government, ceding much of southern Alberta. However, after the Blackfoot were obliged to live, mired in famine, on their reserve east of Calgary, Crowfoot became disillusioned with the government. Nevertheless, he continued to mediate between his people and government officials. By the last decade of his life, most of his children had died of tuberculosis and he was almost constantly in mourning. Crowfoot died on April 25, 1890, in a tipi in the Bow Valley. He is now considered to be one of Canada's national heroes.

--- from Dempsey, Hugh A. Crowfoot, Chief of the Blackfeet. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1972.