) Harry Longabaugh-"The Sundance Kid", Cowboy at the Bar U

44) Harry Longabaugh-"The Sundance Kid", Cowboy at the Bar U

In 1890 he found work as a ranch hand on the H2 Ranch north of Fort Macleod in the District of Alberta. He also worked as a horse breaker at the Bar U Ranch near Longview, one of the largest ranches in southern Alberta. He was very good at riding and breaking wild horses so he was also employed to break the big work horses that were used at that time to build the railroad between Calgary and Fort Macleod. While he was working at the ranches he was quite popular and well-liked, and he managed to stay out of trouble.

After a couple of years working on the ranches he entered into a business venture. He became a partner in a saloon(bar) at the Grand Central Hotel in Calgary. However, this did not last long because he had a big disagreement with his business partner over his wages. After that he decided to return to the United States where he joined up with outlaw Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch gang. This gang became notorious for robbing banks and holding up trains to steal payroll money. “The Sundance Kid” was an expert gunslinger and was known as the fastest draw in the West.

A few years later the Wild Bunch gang of outlaws moved to Texas and then to South America to try to hide from the law. On November 6, 1908 the gang attempted a payroll robbery in Bolivia where it is thought that “The Sundance Kid” was shot and killed. However his remains have never been found. Some people believe that he escaped and travelled back to Wyoming where he changed his name and lived the rest of his life as a rancher.

By Judith Barge

45) Hayley Wickenheiser, Gold Medal Hockey Player

Hayley has been an important role model for female athletes for most of her life. She was only 15 years old when she became part of the Canadian National Women’s Hockey Team for the first time. When she was selected, she was the youngest player that has ever played for Team Canada. She still plays for Team Canada today, which also makes her the longest serving member for the Canadian National Women’s team as well.

Hayley is also known as “trailblazer” for women in the world of hockey. When began her hockey career, it was difficult for many female athletes to find a way to play hockey. Instead of letting this stop her, Hayley continued played on boys-only teams until she was 13 years old and finally found a girls’ team to play with in Calgary. She continued to make hockey history in 2003, when she was the first woman to score a goal for a professional men’s team in Finland.

Hayley has an extremely successful career as a hockey player. In her 23 years as a professional hockey player, Hayley has played for Team Canada 5 times in the Winter Olympics, and 12 times in the World Championships. She has helped Canada win 4 Olympic gold medals and 7 World Championships. Hayley has won so many awards that she is also considered one of Canada’s most honoured athletes.

By Lina Saigol

46) Henrietta Edwards- One of the "Famous 5"

Born in Montreal, Henrietta Muir had been educated at McGill University when few women attended university. Also, she travelled in Europe. A talented artist, her paintings on china dishes were displayed at world’s fair in 1893. After she married Dr. Edwards, the family moved to Saskatchewan. There, he provided care to First Nations. In 1903, the family moved near Fort Macleod where he was physician to other First Nations.

Meanwhile, Henrietta researched laws concerning Alberta women. She travelled the province and spoke at meetings, urging equal rights for women.

In 1916, when Alberta women won the provincial vote, she wrote a report about women’s legal status in the province. Later, she updated her report. Then, in 1924, she wrote “The Legal Status of Women in Canada” showing that women still did not have equal rights.

For example, Edmonton’s Emily Murphy was appointed as a magistrate. Many wanted her appointed a senator, too. However, in the constitution, the pronoun “he” had been used in referring to those eligible as senators.

So Henrietta joined Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby and Louise McKinney, and they petitioned for legal clarification. Alberta courts ruled women weren’t eligible for the same positions as men.

The women submitted the problem to Canada’s Supreme Court. Again, women’s rights were denied. Finally, they petitioned the British Privy Council in England. At the time, it made the final decisions on Canadian law. Their petition was named the Persons Case.

In October 1929, the Privy Council ruled that, in Canada, women had the right to be appointed to the Senate. The decision meant that Canadian women had virtually the same legal rights as men. There were still injustices and hurdles. However, Henrietta had helped establish legal equality for women in Canada.

By Faye Holt

47) Herman Linder- World Champion Cowboy

In 1936 Herman was one of the many cowboys who took part in the first ever rodeo cowboy strike in Boston. This strike led to the start of the Rodeo Cowboys’ Association and the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association. Later in his life, Herman joined the (American) National Cowboy Hall of Fame, and was also made a honourary chief of the Blood Nation in Southern Alberta. He also took a team of rodeo cowboys to Australia in both 1936 and 1938, helping the rodeo grow in that country. Wherever he went as part of the rodeo, Herman was always a fan favourite and he was always eager to sign autographs for adoring fans.

Herman used the money that he made from being part of professional rodeo by building a large scale ranch in Southern Alberta. In his later years Linder was involved again with the Calgary Stampede, including riding in the Stampede Parade in 1994 as part of the rodeo committee. Herman Linder died on January 18, 2001 on his ranch near Cardston, Alberta at the age of 93.

By Tom Elder