Goodstriker recognized for his multisport impacts

By Lethbridge Herald on May 9, 2023.

Herald photo by JUSTIN SEWARD Rufus Goodstriker’s Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame induction banner.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Rufus Goodstriker’s career in multisport was recognized with his induction into the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Friday.

His mark was made in rodeo, boxing, chuckwagon racing, boxing and horse racing.

“He left with each one of us a legacy of hard work and excellence in whatever it is that  we do with our own lives and journeys through life,” said Wilton Goodstriker, Rufus’ eldest son of 10 children.

There were five generations of Goodstrikers that included children, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren of Rufus’ at the ceremony.

“We’re certainly honoured in (him) being inducted into the Hall of Fame,” said Wilton.

“Many thanks to the board of governors (and) Max Gibb who nominated my father. Max is actually an adopted brother of mine. He and I go way  back in terms of horse racing, boxing, you name it and he was a close to my father in the field of boxing. They were in the boxing world for many years. My father had a tremendous record in terms of boxing, both as an amateur and professional later on. He never lost a fight as a professional.”

As described in his own words in his biography on his induction banner, “Boxing was not a business for me, it was just a way to pass through winter.”

As both an amateur and professional wrestler, he fought 34 times and lost once while going 19-0 as a professional.

While his success in the ring was noticeable, it was out of it that his legacy was made with being a respected coach and trainer in helping Blood Tribe athletes excel. 

“Born in 1924, Goodstriker had a passion for rodeo and a natural inclination around horses,” as read in his LSHOF banner biography.

As a result of being a top competitor in the arena, Goodstriker won the J.B.  McDonald high-point award as the top Indigenous money winner at the Calgary Stampede in 1957 and 1958.

Other accolades include winning many events across the United States and Canada and was a part of the top rodeo cowboys group from the Blood Reserve that formed the All Indian Rodeo Association and ultimately landed the All Indian Rodeo Finals in Lethbridge in 1969 and World Indian Finals in 1976.

When he was not in sports, Goodstriker led his Kainai community as a Chief and leader as well as being a spiritual healer, an army veteran, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police special scout, an actor and family man.

 “It defines him again as what he left with each one of us,” said Wilton, on his impact in sports.

“To always keep yourself, (and) your sprit in good condition, take care of your body and  hard work. He didn’t have much tolerance for idleness. So …  always keep your busy and keep your body in good condition and that way you’ll excel in whatever it is that you do.”

Wilton said he certainly was a family man.

“And always taught each one of us to take care of family and make sure family’s  kept in good shape,” said Wilton.

“And (taught)  them hard work and (taught) them to respect each other. And he left with us quite a legacy of values, traditional values that we use — compassion, respect, understanding, (and) humility. We try to follow his teachings and I think we’ve all done well.”

Gibb described him in his biography as a “pied piper for the young people of the reserve, involving them in horse racing, rodeo and boxing.”

 Goodstriker passed away in 2003.