Waln honored at Tibbs Rodeo Center

Chief Carl Waln, Sr. was honored at the Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center in Ft. Pierre, South Dakota, on September 26, 2012. His two ranch brands, 3 bar and bar TT, were permanently branded into the timbers of the Rodeo Center, amongst those of other notable dignitaries. He also donated a selection of artifacts he’s collected through his years on the rodeo circuit and as a Traditional Chief. The artifacts will be part of the Rodeo Center’s display that honors Native Americans.

Casey Tibbs was often on Waln’s mind and Waln holds him in high esteem. “The author, demonstrator, finisher of bronc riding, and rodeo enhancement that is imitated but never can be duplicated”, said Waln. “Casey Tibbs was to rodeo what Babe Ruth was to baseball, what Jack Nicholas was to golf, and what Muhammad Ali was to boxing, each world respected advocates of sports and global unity.”

A rodeo producer, Indian rodeo championship contestant and promoter of All Indian rodeo, Waln was one of the founding directors of the All Indian rodeo concept in 1966. The idea ultimately became the Great Plains Indian Rodeo Association Nation Circuit system that is in existence today. 

Waln is the adopted son  of Joe Waln and a 1945-1993 partner of his Waln Rodeo Cattle/Horse Ranch. The operation allowed many multicultural youth, future champion cowboys and cowgirls, to practice rodeo on the Rosebud Indian Reservation year around in the Waln Indoor Rodeo Arena, a custom that was a great advantage to those youth. 

Waln was fortunate to learn every aspect of rodeo at a young age. Choosing livestock that was suitable for bucking, roping, showing and conducive to travel was central. Later, Waln’s background in fundraising and rodeo promotion allowed him to be selected as an interviewee candidate for Commissioner of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) in Colorado Springs, Colo., in the 1980s. 

Waln was an expert in Indian Media that helped promote Indian Rodeo early on. He was chosen National Indian Media person of the year two years running, also in the ‘80s. He established connections with National Geographic magazine, Washington Post, and appeared on  tv shows, the likes of Ted Koppel’s “Nightline Live”, in addition to making many other media celebrity acquaintances. 

Waln is also a Traditional Chief “Itacha Wanbli Kokinpapi Sni” and is a descendent of the Ring In The Cloud Band. He later became a global humanitarian, working with Central Banks and World Wide Trusts to provide clothing, food, shelter, housing and health care for third world Indigenous countries. He is currently serving as Chief and Ceremonial Spiritual Leader for United Sovereigns, a global maritime not-for-profit company. 

“It’s a humble honor for me to have my name along side of rodeo world champions, authentic livestock producers, and former cowboys and cowgirls that made rodeo the sport of this country.”