Continuing a legacy: Ralph Johnson Memorial Rodeo returns after a 4-year hiatus

Posted by Quentin Jodie | May 30, 2024 | Rodeo |

GANADO – The Ralph Johnson Memorial Rodeo Production Team made good on a promise that they would bring the annual event back after a four-year hiatus.

Since January the group has met twice a month in preparation for this year’s 53rd edition of the RJM Rodeo, which was held over the Memorial Day weekend.

The committee has 70 members, and it is chaired by Kee Long. The rest of the presiding members include Vice-President Nate Guy, Secretary Cherie Bitsuie and Treasurer Melanie Nez-Tsosie.

“This is long overdue,” said Long. “We’ve been scrambling to get the arena in shape. We had five, six guys that have been here constantly for the last month and a half.

“We tried to make it look good because we’re working with a professional rodeo association – the All Indian Rodeo Cowboy Association,” he added. “They have policies and rules in place, and we wanted to make sure the arena was safe for the cowboys and cowgirls.”

In addition the committee also took into consideration the standards of W/A Rodeo’s, the stock contractor for the rough stock events.

“We had to upgrade the fencing because we also need to look out for our stock contractors,” Long said. “They have to take care of their animals, too.”

The rodeo was canceled for two years due to the onset of the global Covid-19 pandemic. It took a couple more years to get reorganized as the annual event that honors the late Ralph Johnson, who served in the U.S. Marines from 1943 to 1946 as one of the Navajo Code Talkers during World War II.

Special to the Times | Donovan Quintero
Barrel racer Jodelle Bitloy sprints her way to the finish line after completing the three-barrel course on Sunday in Ganado.

“Mr. Ralph Johnson’s legacy and beliefs continue each year in the month of May with the rodeo on Memorial Day weekend,” the family said in a written statement that was provided to the Navajo Times. “Leading up to the rodeo, the production hosts a number of community events such as (the) Downtown Parade, Health Fair, Horse/Livestock Seminar, Trail Ride, Cowboy Breakfast and a scholarship for a graduating senior from Ganado High School.”

According to the family, Johnson was an all-around cowboy, competing in bull riding, bareback, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, tie-down and rodeo clown.

After a lengthy illness, Johnson passed away in 1960 and the first rodeo in his honor was held in 1967.

“Like many Native men, he was gifted with artistic abilities and skilled hands in various crafts, (he) farmed, loved the outdoors and was a hunter,” the family said. “The skill that he was best known for was that of auto mechanic. Of course, most of our older folks will recall his talents in the sport of rodeo the best. He was among the first to have competed both on and off the reservation in timed and rough stock events.”

W/A Rodeo’s producer Lisa Webb felt a bit nostalgic as her late dad, Buster Webb, had helped produce the RJM Rodeo for over two decades.

“When I pulled into here the feeling was a little like coming home,” Webb said. “You know, this event has always been about the red, white and blue. It’s always about mixing appreciation for family, military service, rodeo and the Western way of life.

“Everybody comes together to celebrate,” she added. “So many people in the Ralph Johnson family live elsewhere like Denver, Phoenix and Nebraska and they come home for a week to create something of a family reunion.”

Webb appreciates the family for giving back. She says the family works hard to ensure that everyone is having a good time.

“They’re always hospitable,” Webb said. “That’s the part I remember the most when my dad started coming up here. You know, they have great competition, and they give out beautiful prizes every year.

“They work hard to make it feel like a family reunion not just for the rodeo people,” she added, “but anybody that has served in the military.”