GOODSTRIKER, Jason

In Memory of Jason Goodstriker

Ootsimiohkitopi (Sorrel Horse Rider)

Born: September 26, 1972 • Passed Away: January 16, 2020

Jason Goodstriker, a well-respected Leader, Announcer, Orator, Educator, and Athlete will be greatly missed by the many people who have had the honor to have met him during his short journey on this earth. He was a Husband, Father, Son, an Uncle, a Nephew, a Relative, and a Great Friend to the many who knew him. His Kainai, Blackfoot Confederacy, and Dakota/Lakota People have lost a great son. Jason will always be remembered as a Statesman and Eyapaha for Indian People, of whom he had great knowledge and insight; retelling and sharing his understanding of histories and cultures of the Great Indian Nations of this Continent.

Jason was a proud member of the Blood Tribe and of the L/Dakota People of Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation in the Province of Saskatchewan. His father, Wilton Goodstriker is a renowned rodeo and powwow announcer who raised Jason to be the man he was. Both father and son have become famous for their announcing capacities throughout Indian Country. His parents ensured that Jason was immersed in traditional ways, both Blackfoot and L/Dakota. His mother, Evelyn made sure there was love, respect, and sharing taught in their home and activities in his childhood years. His parents enrolled him in the Athol Murray College of Notre Dame for his Grade 10-12 education. It was difficult to let their child go at such a young age, but they knew it was to build inner strength, to achieve a grade 12 diploma, and to pursue his love for hockey.

He was an avid athlete, in his younger years, he enjoyed many sports. He went on to play with Kainai Golden Chiefs Jr B Hockey team as they battled with teams in the Southern Alberta league, the Golden Chiefs were the leaders in scoring and penalty minutes. With Team Coach, Duane Delaney and Jason as Assistant Coach, the team travelled to many hockey tournaments across Canada. Jason loved to play Golf, he brought his clubs whenever he could. He would join any groups, tee off and make new friends on the course. As a student at the University of Lethbridge he was the first ever First Nation student to be elected to the University of Lethbridge’s Students Union.

Jason embarked on a Powwow Announcing Career that brought him to many places such as Washington DC, Honolulu, Hawaii, Toronto, Ontario, Crow Fair in Crow Agency, Montana, Rosebud, South Dakota, and San Ignacio, Colorado just to name a few places. He was known for his humor and knowledge of tribal histories at the various celebrations he announced.

On the political front, he was the Grand Chief of the Alberta Chiefs Assembly for a term and was instrumental with many national files that were impacting First Nations in Canada. Prior to being Grand Chief, he sat a term on the Blood Tribe Chief and Council, where he initiated new programs and services for our community. Jason continued to be involved with issues that impacted Indian Country, as a spokesman and resource person for various organizations and entities throughout the country.

Jason, is survived by his wife, Tiffany Pompana, his children Elle, Jaelyn, Sadie and Mirabel Goodstriker. His adopted children, Shane, Keshia and Mia Pompana and Mireya and Na’tehya Curly Rider. His parents, Wilton and Evelyn Goodstriker, his siblings, Nadine (Garret), Chris and Josh (Rebecca). His nephew Tyler (Kristian) and nieces Keelie (Earl) and Cammie (Dax), Marlee, and Dazzelyn. His grand/nephews and nieces, Jordan, Joey, Lynda and Paisley. Jason had many traditional adopted family that all held special places in his heart. He was pre-deceased by his maternal grandparents, Alex and Stella Goodwill and his paternal grandparents, Rufus Goodstriker and Christine Many Fingers. His uncles Howie Goodwill and Charlie Goodstriker and his aunts, Audrey Goodwill, Joyce Goodstriker, Lorraine Goodstriker, Christine Black Water, and Frances Weasel Head. Jason was born and raised on Blood Reserve, he was from the traditional Mamioyiiksi – Fish Eater and Ni’taitsskaiksi – Lone Fighter Clans. Jason’s early mischief crew, were his brothers Joe, Kenny, Wes, Joe and Vernon. They were always running through the valley, riding horses, or hooking on trucks at the Sundance. Jason attended Standoff and Glenwood schools from Kindergarten to Grade 9. During the summer he would get involved with various activities such as Trail Rides, with Pete Standing Alone, where Jason, Daryl, Scotty, and others would ride in North End area, learning from elders the history of Kainai and teasing his cousins. He loved music and dancing. He was an Adventurer and a Dreamer, with his creative spirit he would invent games, a play, and make everyone participate. He spent many summers at the Crossbell camp and later recreated the tipi camps in the mountains, his summer camp was called Night Singer, after his younger brother Chris. Youth groups arrived from different parts of Alberta, he designed the camp activities, everyone enjoyed the fresh mountain air, the trees and animals. Jason was a Youth Ambassador and travelled to meet John Denver in Colorado, they set up a tipi camp and he shared his knowledge of our ways with the attendees. He then travelled to Rio de Janeiro to a conference, it was an experience of a lifetime. One year, Jason teamed up with Dale Auger, a Cree Artist, and with a band of local Indian cowboys, they developed a live theatre story in Bragg Creek area. They taught Nathan Arcand how to ride horses!

Today celebrate Jason’s life. Remember him for the life he lived and his irresistible Spirit. When we look back, all of the accomplishments and honors that Jason had achieved in his lifetime, Jason was just that, he was more than Great!

An Honouring Service will be held at UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE GYMNASIUM (1ST CHOICE SAVINGS CENTRE FOR SPORT AND WELLNESS), 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, AB, on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 10:00 A.M.

In memory of Jason, donations to assist with funeral costs may be made through Cornerstone Funeral Home.

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com