PIAPOT FIRST NATION — Rival defensive backs would not concur but, yes, Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker is easy to stop.
Just ask him for an autograph, a photo or a few moments of his time.
He is always happy to oblige, as is another fourth-year member of the team — defensive lineman Anthony Lanier II.
Lanier II and Schaffer-Baker were part of a Roughriders travelling party that visited the Piapot Traditional Powwow on a scorching Sunday afternoon to appreciate a cultural celebration that included everyone “from the oldest to the youngest,” as the announcer described it during the grand entry.
Gainer the Gopher, resplendent in a bulky suit that is not noted for its ventilation, endured the hot temperatures and participated in the entrance and subsequent dance.
“Flash that style, Gainer!” the announcer said. “Looking good out there!”
Gainer was conspicuous alongside Schaffer-Baker, Lanier II and two members of the 620 CKRM Rider Cheer Team.
For Josi Treleaven and Rebecca Bzdell, the event was an opportunity to learn some routines from a First Nations dancer — a little girl who approached one of the cheerleaders and asked to borrow her pompoms.
“Can you teach me a dance move?” Bzdell asked the girl, who responded with a footwork tutorial.
“You’re going to be a cheerleader one day!” Treleaven told her new friend. “We’re going to be watching you out there.”
Nearby, the two Roughriders players were signing autographs, posing for pictures and distributing green-themed gifts.
“They have some sunglasses and mini-footballs,” Treleaven told the youngster. “Do you want some?”
Yes!
“Let’s go get some!”
Taking it all in was a gentleman named Gene, who had travelled all the way from Turtleford — nearly 500 kilometres — to enjoy the powwow, visit with friends, and add some more to the list.
“I see those guys when they play on TV,” he said while standing a couple of first downs away from Lanier II and Schaffer-Baker. “Now I can come here and actually see them in person.”
Two young fans seized the opportunity to approach Lanier II and ask him to autograph their plastic water-squirters.
No problem, but first things first.
He was already in the process of signing a miniature football, so he tucked both water-squirters under his right arm and used his right hand to autograph an item he was holding.
Over the years, having spent time in the NFL and CFL, Lanier II has applied his good name to all forms of memorabilia. But a water-squirter? That was a new one.
Schaffer-Baker enjoyed a novel experience of his own when he was stopped by one of the musicians and asked to sign his drum.
“That,” he was told, “was very cool.”
Shortly thereafter, Schaffer-Baker and Lanier II presented regulation-sized footballs — signed by the entire team — to the dignitaries.
The autographed footballs had been brought to the powwow by Rebecca Perigny, the Roughriders’ Manager, Marketing and Community.
She was joined in Piapot by colleagues Jacqueline Hurlbert (Director of Marketing and Fan Engagement), Tyler Daku (Social Lead), Blake Tiedeman (Digital Media Producer) and Rebecca Mills (Webstore Merchandise Lead).
The job descriptions were adjustable to suit the circumstances.
Members of the Roughriders organization were routinely handed phones by fans so they could pose for a photo between Lanier II and Schaffer-Baker.
There were occasions, though, when someone didn’t request an autograph, a photo, a miniature football, a pair of sunglasses or anything of the sort.
For example, one little girl sprinted toward Lanier II and asked him: “Can I have a hug?”
“Of course!”
At one point, the 6-foot-6 lineman was also asked by a young fan to compare hand sizes.
It was that kind of day — a sweltering one at that — but the warmth of the interactions and the joy that was shared by everyone in Piapot and all their guests stood out.
That was evident once every autograph had been signed, every photo had been taken, and it was time to return to Regina.
As the players approached their vehicle, a Piapot resident stopped them and applied a perfect punctuation mark to a memorable visit.
“Thank you,” she said with a smile, “for coming to our Nation.”
