Jackson Sundown was born in 1863 in Montana. His given name was Waaya-Tonah-Toesits-Kahn, meaning Blanket of the Sun, and he was the only Native American to win the All Around title at the famous Pendleton Roundup. He won it at the age of 52.
Waaya-Tonah-Toesits-Kahn was born into the Wallowa Band of Nez Perce, led by Chief Joseph. At the age of 14 he was involved in the Nez Perce War of 1877. He managed to escape the calvary into Canada during the Nez Perce Retreat and then, according to legend, joined Sitting Bull in his Canadian Camp for two years along with other survivors of the Battle of Little Big Horn.
In 1879, Waaya-Tonah-Toesits-Kahn moved from Canada to Washington State, and then to the Flathead Reservation in Montana, where he became known as Jackson Sundown. He married there and had two children. In 1910, he returned to the Nez Perce Reservation in Idaho, married again (I couldn’t find what happened to his first wife), and settled on his new wife’s ranch near Lapwai.
Jackson was a skilled horseman and made his living breeding, raising, training and selling horses. He bolstered his income by entering rodeos, often winning the all-around purse for having the highest scores in every event. Jackson won so often that other competitors would withdraw from events in which he was entered. Spectators loved him not only because of his talent, but also his striking presence. He wore colorful shirts, wooly chaps and would tie his braids under his chin when he rode rough stock.
In 1915, Jackson came in third at the Pendleton Roundup. He retired then at the age of 51. His body had taken a beating from rodeoing for so long and he was done. But the next year he was at the Roundup and an artist, who was sculpting him, encouraged him to enter again, offering to pay the entry fee. Jackson accepted.
He drew a very rough horse and his ride was legendary. The horse, Angel, bucked so hard that Jackson removed his hat and fanned the horse to “cool it off”. Jackson won the Roundup and retired once more, this time as a hero, the first and only Native American to win the title. He died seven years later at the age of sixty from pneumonia. His memorial in Idaho reads:
Jackson Sundown
Waaya-Tonah-Toesits-Kahn
Nez Perce Born in Montana 1863
Died at Jacques Spur, December 18,1923
At the age of 60 years
He is still celebrated at the Pow Wow held at the Pendleton Roundup every year.
He sounds like he lived a great life.
Yes. I think he was a very interesting person.
Very colorful man!
Indeed he was, Ginni!
I love the little Old West history snippets that I read here. Fascinating man. Thanks for sharing him with us, Jeannie!
You’re very welcome, Nan!
Fantastic story. thanks
You’re welcome, Debra!
How interesting. Something I would probably have never heard had you not shared this with us. Thank you.
I really found him to be fascinating!
That was interesting!
Thank you, Bridgette!
Amazing story!
I think so, too, Rhonda!
Fascinating article. Thank you for sharing!
You’re very welcome, Barbara!
I knew some of this but some of it was totally new to me. Thanks for sharing.
Glad to, Alice!
Hi, This is so interesting, Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome, Alicia!
Oh, wow, what a great piece of history!!
He’s an amazing guy!
He led an interesting and hard won life. His wooly chaps look a little like the leg regalia worn by men powwow dancers. He certainly saw much of the major events pertaining to Native American history in the Northwest. It is very impressive that he managed to compete and do so well at an age when most have retired from such a dangerous sport that is so hard on the body. Thank you for an interesting post.
Interesting observation about the wooly chaps, Patricia. I’m also amazed that he rodeoed for so long!