Name: Jimi Champ
Age:  30  
Marital Status: Married
Family/Children: Husband Ray, son Talvin, parents Ann and Dutch Lunak, sister Megan
Hometown: Browning, Mt
Native American Heritage: Blackfeet
Horses: King- barrel/ breakaway horse, Cowgirl 4 year old in training, Hawkins- ex breakaway horse, now just my pet, lots of colts that need to be ridden
Pets that you own: Rodeo (12 year old Border-Poodle), Holly-(Mutt), Jessie-( Aussie), Kitteeee, (Talvin’s cat)
Rodeo Events Worked: barrel racing, breakaway roping
Association member of:  Bear Paw Rodeo Association, United Indian Rodeo Association, Northern Rodeo Association
Rodeo Accomplishments: 1 time IIFR qualifier in the barrel racing, 3 time INFR qualifier in the breakaway, my biggest accomplishment though, is training my horse King
When did you start an interest in rodeo? As soon as I could walk, I could ride. I started barrel racing on “Pony” when I was 3.
What other sports other than rodeo do you enjoy? Not really a sports fan
What is the funniest thing that you have seen or experienced at a rodeo? Oh wow! I’d have to say a little girl barrel racing on a pony that was so small she couldn’t break the laser on the electric eye. It was so cute.
What advice would you give to Indian youth about rodeo or anything in general? Keep a good attitude, and don’t let drugs and alcohol get in the way of your dreams
What advice would you give to Indian youth who wanted to participate in
rodeo but didn’t have the resources or support to get involved? Find a place to practice and keep going. People are more apt to help you if you help yourself.
Are there any songs that inspire or pump you up before you ride or rope? Just music in general ( my husband Ray usually plays just the right music for me when he is announcing).
What would you like to see more of at Indian Rodeos? I would like to see Indian Rodeo Associations work together. Just think how successful Indian Rodeos could be if everybody worked together for the betterment of rodeo, rather than the betterment of themselves.

What are/is your favorite western movie(s)? Tombstone and anything my dad worked on
What is your favorite music? I like all kinds except hard rap and techno
What was your most memorable ride or run? Before Indian Days this year, I wanted to give up. I never was much of a barrel racer, and I wasn’t roping that good. During the Saturday perf at my hometown tour rodeo in front of all my friends and family, I made a smoking run in the barrels. Prior to then my goal was to make the short-go. After that, my confidence in my horse and my barrel racing shot up and we started to consistently place. Funny what a little bit of confidence will do for you.

Who is your all time hero? My biggest hero is my dad. He worked hard his whole life to give his family what he didn’t have.