Jackson Sundown, a name synonymous with courage, resilience, and unparalleled skill in the world of rodeo, stands as a testament to the rich history and enduring spirit of the Nez Perce people. Born Waaya-Tonah-Toesits-Kahn, meaning "Earth Left by the Setting Sun," in 1863, his life was a tapestry woven with threads of conflict, cultural preservation, and athletic achievement. His journey, from a young boy fleeing with his tribe to a celebrated champion in the rodeo arena, is a captivating narrative of the American West.
The story of Jackson Sundown begins amidst the turmoil of the Nez Perce War of 1877. As a nephew of the esteemed Chief Joseph, Sundown was intimately involved in the Nez Perce’s desperate attempt to escape forced relocation to a reservation. At the tender age of 14, he and Sam Tilden (Suhm-Keen) were entrusted with the crucial task of caring for and guarding the tribe’s horses during their arduous flight. This responsibility speaks volumes about his early connection to horses, a bond that would later define his legendary rodeo career.
The Nez Perce War was marked by hardship and tragedy. During the Battle of the Big Hole, a brutal clash between the Nez Perce and the U.S. Army, young Waaya-Tonah-Toesits-Kahn found himself caught in the crossfire. Seeking refuge in his mother’s tipi, he was forced to hide under a buffalo robe as soldiers rounded up prisoners. In a horrific turn, a soldier set the tipi ablaze, leaving him with severe burns, a painful reminder of the conflict that ravaged his people.
Despite the dangers, Sundown managed to escape, though not unscathed. With rifle wounds sustained during Chief Joseph’s surrender to General Miles in the Bear Paw Mountains of Montana, he joined White Bird’s group and sought asylum in Canada alongside Sitting Bull and his Sioux warriors, who had famously defeated Custer in 1876. Legend has it that Sundown cleverly evaded capture by hanging off the side of his horse, creating the illusion that the horse was riderless.
Historical accounts suggest that Sundown remained in Canada for approximately two years. During this period, he was considered a war criminal by the U.S. government. The details of his life in Canada remain somewhat shrouded in mystery, adding to the mystique surrounding this iconic figure.
Upon his return to the United States, Sundown made his way to the Flathead Reservation in Montana. There, he found companionship and a semblance of stability with a Salish woman named Pewlosap (known as Annie to the white settlers). They lived together without a formal marriage and had two daughters, Adaline and Josephine. The societal norms of the time, particularly the pressures exerted by the St. Ignatius Mission House, cast a shadow over their unconventional union.
In 1909, a journal entry from the St. Ignatius Mission House reveals the prevailing attitudes towards Indigenous relationships, stating, "Some Nez Perces who are living like beasts have been ordered out of the Reservation, or to get married." This sentiment underscores the challenges faced by Indigenous individuals who chose to live outside the confines of European-American social expectations.
That same year, Jackson Sundown became involved in a dispute over land rights and tribal governance. When a Flathead Indian named Baptist Kakaeshin sought to bring grievances to Washington, D.C., regarding alleged corruption and unauthorized land deals on the Flathead Reservation, he requested Sundown to accompany him as an interpreter. However, the BIA Agent forbade Sundown from participating, citing his "adulterous" relationship with Pewlosap and labeling him a "stranger." Despite this opposition, Sundown defied the Agent’s orders and accompanied Kakaeshin to Washington, D.C., highlighting his commitment to justice and his willingness to challenge authority.
The complaints they presented in Washington, D.C., centered on several key issues: the claim that land north of the Flathead Reservation had not been legally ceded to the U.S. government, the lack of tribal consent for land allotment and the opening of the reservation to settlement, and allegations of corruption involving enrollment processes. While the BIA dismissed their concerns, the incident underscores Sundown’s involvement in the political and social issues affecting Indigenous communities at the time.
In 1910, at the age of 47, Sundown returned to his Nez Perce roots, settling on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation in Lapwai, Idaho. He acquired an allotment of land and constructed a cabin, marking a new chapter in his life. In 1912, he married Cecelia Wapshela, and together they built a home at Jacques Spur, Idaho.
It was during his first summer in Lapwai that Sundown’s rodeo career unexpectedly began. At a local rodeo in Culdesac, Idaho, he accepted a dare to ride a notoriously difficult bronc. He not only successfully rode the horse but also executed a standing dismount and nonchalantly dusted off his blue serge suit, captivating the crowd with his skill and composure. This impromptu display of horsemanship sparked the idea of competing in rodeos as a means of supplementing his income.
Standing tall at six feet, with a lean physique and striking features, Jackson Sundown cut a distinctive figure among the cowboys of his era. His appearance and attire further set him apart. He wore his long hair in the traditional Nez Perce pompadour, with braids tied together and secured under his chin with a colorful bandana. He favored brightly colored shirts, adorned himself with large angora wool chaps with spots, and often wore a shirt also covered in spots. His gloves were elaborately beaded with floral patterns. Instead of the conventional Western cowboy hat, he sported a high, wide-brimmed "Indian Hat." His unique style and undeniable talent quickly made him a fan favorite.
His flamboyant attire caught the eye of Roy Bishop, the president of Pendleton Woolen Mills. Bishop was so impressed with Sundown’s clothing that he incorporated some of the patterns into his renowned Pendleton blankets. The two men forged a lasting friendship, further solidifying Sundown’s place in the cultural landscape of the West.
Sundown excelled in various rodeo events, earning numerous all-around cash prizes. While proficient in bull riding, he was particularly renowned for his skill in bareback and saddle bronc riding.
By 1911, he had earned enough points to qualify for the Saddle Bronc Finals at the Pendleton Round-Up, a prestigious event that would become synonymous with his name. However, the 1911 competition was marred by controversy.
The Moscow Pullman Daily News reported that Sundown finished third after falling from his horse when it collided with one of the judges’ horses. He was not granted a re-ride, a common practice when interference occurs. Meanwhile, George Fletcher, an African American cowboy, was ordered a re-ride after an impressive initial performance and ultimately placed second. John Spain, a European American, was awarded the grand prize, but the decision was met with protests from the crowd, who claimed he had touched the horse with his free hand, a violation of the rules that typically results in disqualification.
The 1911 Pendleton Round-Up sparked outrage among spectators, leading to a spontaneous act of solidarity. Sheriff Till Taylor reportedly took Fletcher’s hat, tore it into pieces, and sold them to the thousands of protesters. The proceeds were then presented to Fletcher, who was declared "The People’s Champion."
This contentious event has been chronicled in literature, including Rick Steber’s novel Red White Black, which explores the profound impact of the 1911 Pendleton Round-Up on the sport of rodeo and the evolving perception of the West. Ken Kesey, the author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, also penned a book titled Last Go Round, which captures the energy and excitement surrounding the 1911 rodeo.
Despite the controversy, Jackson Sundown continued to compete and garner recognition. In 1912, he participated in rodeo events in Canada and Idaho, consistently placing "in the money" and captivating audiences.
By 1914, his success as an all-around rodeo rider had become so pronounced that other contestants began withdrawing from rodeos when they learned he was competing. As a result, rodeo managers offered Sundown a lucrative deal to perform exhibition rides for $50.00 a day, a significant sum at the time. While this arrangement provided financial security, it also prevented him from competing for the larger prize pots at major rodeos like the Calgary Stampede and the Pendleton Round-Up.
In 1914, Sundown’s striking appearance and dignified demeanor caught the attention of Alexander Phimster Proctor, one of America’s most celebrated sculptors. Proctor hired him to pose for numerous statues, including works for Stanford University, the RCA Building in New York, and a heroic sculpture that now stands in front of the Colorado State Capitol Building.
At the age of 52, in 1915, Sundown once again qualified for the World Championship competition at the Pendleton Round-Up. After finishing third that year, he considered retiring from rodeo, citing the physical toll it had taken on his body. However, Proctor convinced him to compete "one more time" and even paid his entry fees for the 1916 Pendleton Round-Up.
The 1916 Pendleton Round-Up would become the defining moment of Sundown’s rodeo career. At the age of 53, more than twice the age of his competitors, he faced off against Rufus Rollen of Oklahoma and Bob Hall of Pocatello in the finals. Both Rollen and Hall delivered impressive performances, but Sundown’s final ride would become legendary.
He drew a particularly fierce horse named Angel, a bronc he had ridden before. Angel bucked with extraordinary force, twisting and leaping into the air. From the moment they left the gate, Sundown spurred the horse relentlessly. It is said that the horse bucked so wildly that Sundown removed his hat and fanned the horse, as if to cool it down, at which point he and the horse became one.
The crowd roared as the only full-blooded Native American to ever compete in the Pendleton Round-Up Championship rode to victory. Sundown’s triumphant ride, a testament to his skill, courage, and unwavering spirit, earned him the all-around title and immortalized him as both a cowboy and an Indian hero.
When asked what he would like engraved on the silver plate of his prize saddle, the 1916 World Champion Bronc Rider simply requested the name of his wife, Cecelia Wapshela.
In 1923, Jackson Sundown succumbed to pneumonia. He was buried at Slickpoo Mission Cemetery near Jacques Spur, Idaho. Ironically, Sundown was not even a U.S. citizen at the time of his death. It was not until 1924 that Congress passed legislation granting citizenship to American Indians.
A stone monument marks his grave, inscribed with his name, Waaya-Tonah-Toesits-Kahn, his tribal affiliation, and a picture of him in his iconic wooly chaps. The inscription serves as a lasting tribute to the Nez Perce warrior and legendary horseman who defied expectations and left an indelible mark on the history of rodeo and the American West.
Jackson Sundown was posthumously inducted into the Pendleton Round-Up Hall of Fame in 1972, the National Cowboys of Color Museum and Hall of Fame in 1983, and the American Indian Athletes Hall of Fame in 1994, solidifying his legacy as a true champion and cultural icon.