In Tŝilhqot’in territories, students and horses learn from each other

Working on an off-grid ranch in Tŝilhqot’in territories, 11-year-old Aaliyah Johnny works confidently as she starts getting her favourite horse, Luca, ready to ride.

After brushing Luca, Johnny gets a saddle pad and saddle onto the horse with the help of a ranch hand and equine assistant.

“I’m still kind of learning to put it on by myself,” she says. 

It’s a windy afternoon in March, and Johnny is part of a group participating in the Tl’etinqox Equine Program. While she needs help to double check the saddle, Johnny is able to hoist it onto her horse without it getting stuck, a first for her. 

She’s usually with an older group, but today she decided to attend an extra day of programming with the younger students — ages 7 to 9.

With the knowledge learned through her extra time spent with the horses and mentoring the younger students, Johnny hopes to become a horse trainer.

The program — which takes place in Tl’etinqox (Anaham) — provides a total of 58 young people from Tl’etinqox and other Tŝilhqot’in communities with opportunities to learn about horses.

Incorporated into the Tl’etinqox First Nation School curriculum, each class attends a morning or afternoon during the week and they also have the opportunity to attend the after school program.

Horses are a significant animal to Tŝilhqot’in and other nations in the region. In communities with open land, the people can rely on ranching — for which horses are important to the process. 

Through the equine program, children and Youth are introduced to, and learn about, these beautiful animals from an early age — something that is vital to the continuation of their culture. 

‘They teach the horses from the ground up’

On this Thursday, the after school group is ready to get on horseback, wearing helmets and cowboy boots. With all the horses saddled up, the children head into the arena, leading their horses to the steps they prepare to ride.

Once in the arena, the Youth are all at different stages in their experience. This year, six-year-old Jacob Dick is riding his horse solo for the first time as he has grown through the program, even hopping on one of the biggest horses of the day. 

A couple of the kids are led around the arena, while others trot around on their own — using their time at the program differently. Each child is watched by the supervisors but given space to learn, as well.

Alijah Dick began riding at just three years old, and now, at eight, he has hopes to continue not only on horses but also on calves, since he likes the jumping they do. With the skills he’s learned at the program and at home he wants to eventually become a bull rider. 

Some of the lessons children in the program kept reiterating were the importance of respecting the horse’s space and ensuring they were aware of each horse’s sensitivities.

Program manager Paula Splichal explains that the program is catered to the kids with flexible daily programming so they are able to help decide the needs for their time. 

Some days — like today — they ride, but other times they may end up just taking care of the horses or cleaning the horse’s area. But they are always outside and enjoying the time they have at the arena. 

“We’ll ride, or we’ll clean or do chores,” she says.

“I try to teach them tack parts. So parts of the saddle, parts of the bridle, colors of the horses, parts of the horses.

“They ride bareback quite often too, and then they ride in a saddle. So I try to encompass everything.”

The Youth also get to see the farrier and veterinarian visits — learning about the processes of massaging the horses or working on their teeth.

“So they get to see all that and ask questions,” Splichal adds.

Cecil Grinder, a traditional knowledge keeper with the Tl’etinqox school, who’s also a councillor with the nation, regularly shares his knowledge with the program. He recently attended the spring break camp at the T7 Cultural Ranch to discuss cultural knowledge and the strength the horses bring to the Youth.

Walking around the grounds, Splichal points out the horses of all ages, noting that the young people are able to help with all aspects of the program, including working with young colts and adult horses. 

“The kids are involved in colt starting as well, so they teach the horses from the ground up,” she says. 

Programming runs from Kindergarten to Grade 12 in the school — which includes a Pre-K group, so children as young as three can attend and learn about the many horses. 

Splichal notes that the younger the children are when they begin, the less fear they tend to have around the horses and the more confidence they gain over time. 

‘Everybody pitches into the program’

The program extends beyond the ranch itself, as the students travel to nearby communities to attend gymkhanas — equestrian events that feature timed games and racing.

The group attends a six-part series of gymkhanas in Williams Lake where the Youth ride and compete with others.

“That kind of gives them an idea of what it could look like for their future because it’s busier and more competitive,” Splichal says. 

If the young people want to attend their own competitions as they get older the preparation and travel to the gymkhanas helps them learn the process from beginning to end.

Tl’etinqox and neighbouring Tŝilhqot’in communities hold their own gymkhanas as well, giving the students plenty of practice.

Some of the older students have even attended the Championship of Champions Indian Relay Races in Wyoming for two years now.

While in Wyoming, the Youth were also able to try breakaway roping, a skill they have practiced at the program.

Student Johnny discusses the gymkhana events and how they differ each year, but she has found the ones she likes the most.

“My favorite is probably butterfly or speed barrels,” she says. “Speed barrels is easy, and I kind of just go faster on speed barrels.”

Annual rides to events are another activity the Youth get to participate in. From a four-hour ride to nearby lakes to four day rides from the community to the Williams Lake Stampede there’s many opportunities to ride and learn. 

With some experience under her belt, Asherah Lisk has hopes to compete in the Williams Lake Stampede which features The Wild Cowgirls Race and other racing events. 

Splichal notes the community comes together to help the program, from their funding to parent volunteers for trips, the Youth programming has proven to be important and it shows through the support they receive.

“Everybody pitches into the program,” she says.

As the day wraps up, with all the horses brushed after their saddles are removed, the Youth excitedly head to the oat bin, getting a treat for each horse. 

With all their duties finished at the end of the day, their session ends with a fire to warm up with as they all gather around and wait for their parents to pick them up. 

With all their teachings, the Youth are able to take care of horses in a respectful manner, creating a peaceful environment for all involved.

“That’s probably the most important take away if they take anything — just be kind,” Spichal says.