Deerfoot-Bad Meat facts for kids
Deerfoot-Bad Meat, also known as Api-kai-ees, was a famous Siksika runner. His name "Api-kai-ees" means "scabby dried meat" or "bad meat." He was born around 1864 in what is now Siksika territory in Western Canada. Deerfoot became well-known for his incredible speed and endurance. His most famous win was the 1886 Calgary Star-Rink Endurance Race. He passed away in 1897 in Calgary, Alberta.
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Who Was Deerfoot?
Early Life and Family
Deerfoot-Bad Meat was born around 1864. His birthplace was on traditional Blackfoot land, which is now the Blackfoot Indian Reserve. His father was Nato-West-Sitsi, also known as Medicine Fire. Deerfoot was also the nephew of the respected leader, Chief Crowfoot. Deerfoot-Bad Meat died on February 24, 1897, in Calgary.
Becoming a Messenger and Runner
By 1880, Deerfoot-Bad Meat had become an amazing long-distance runner. He worked as a messenger for the Blackfoot Confederacy. He would run between different camps in the North-West Territories and Montana. This job helped him develop his incredible speed and stamina.
Deerfoot's Running Career
Discovered by a Racing Group
Deerfoot-Bad Meat started running in smaller local races. Soon, a group in Calgary called The Syndicate noticed him. This group was interested in finding local runners. They wanted runners who could compete against champions from other places. They hoped to win money through gambling on these races.
Around the same time, an indoor track called "Star-Rink" was built in Calgary. This new track became a place for big championship foot-races.
First Big Wins
In 1883, Deerfoot-Bad Meat ran in one of his first professional races. He competed against professional runner James Green and another Blackfoot runner, Little Plume. It was a four-day endurance race. Deerfoot-Bad Meat won! He ran 84 miles and 6 laps in just 16 hours.
After this victory, Api-kai-ees was officially given the professional name "Deerfoot." This name was inspired by an earlier famous runner from the Seneca people, also named Deerfoot.
Setting Records and Facing Challengers
Deerfoot-Bad Meat continued to win many races. He competed in the Calgary area and even further away. He defeated runners who came from as far as Europe. In 1886, he won the important Dominion Day 1-mile race. He finished just one second away from breaking the world record for that distance.
The Famous 1886 Calgary Race
Later in 1886, several groups organized a major 10-mile race in Calgary. They wanted to show off Canadian running talent to the world. Deerfoot-Bad Meat was set to run against J.W. Stokes from England and George Irvine from Winnipeg.
This race was considered the most exciting race of the decade. Deerfoot-Bad Meat easily defeated Stokes and Irvine. He even beat the English runner by a full lap!
However, the British team was not happy with their loss. They claimed there was a mistake in counting the laps. Because of this, the race was cancelled. The organizers then scheduled a new race for a few days later.
Deerfoot-Bad Meat was suspicious of the British team. To make sure there were no more claims of miscounts, he started the new race differently. He gave Stokes a six-lap head-start! Even with this big head-start, Deerfoot still passed the English racer. He finished the ten miles in an amazing 54 minutes and 30 seconds.
Deerfoot's Later Years and Legacy
Running Independently
After the controversy of the 1886 race, Deerfoot became unhappy with the gambling groups. In 1886, he decided to leave his team. He began running on his own, as an independent runner. He had some success during this time.
His Passing and Lasting Honour
Deerfoot passed away in 1897 from tuberculosis. He is buried in an unmarked grave in Calgary.
Even though he is gone, Deerfoot's legacy lives on. In 1974, the City of Calgary honoured him. They renamed a major freeway, Deerfoot Trail, after him. An industrial area and a shopping center, Deerfoot City, were also named in his honour.
