"Family impacts your success." These few words have been the force behind Bruce Parry's accomplishments. He began life with his family on the Washakie Indian Reservation. When Bruce was just 4 years old, his grandfather wanted the family to move to find more opportunities for education and jobs. They left the reservation and relocated to Clearfield.
Their new home brought many other new things for Bruce's family. The traditions and customs they found in Clearfield were different from those they knew. And, as most people who have moved know, changes can be difficult. The Parrys were proud of their Native American heritage, but they knew this was a chance to improve, so they worked hard to settle in their new environment as they met new people in their community.
Bruce had many interests, but he loved sports most of all. During the winter, Bruce needed the outdoor basketball court clear in order to practice, so he shoveled snow no matter how much fell. Bruce wanted to be ready. He played sports in junior high and high school and won recognition, as well as college scholarships, through his determination. At the same time Bruce was becoming a consistent athlete, he worked to keep his grades high. When he graduated from high school, there were scholarships waiting that paid for all four years of his higher education.
Bruce had a dream to coach, and it became reality when he was hired by Union High School. This gave him a job that allowed him to both teach and coach. It was what he had always hoped for. Bruce and his family moved to eastern Utah. They again made new friends, many of whom were from the Ute Indian Tribe.
Yet another change came to the Parry family when Bruce was offered a job as the state director of Indian Affairs. He served in that position for 13 years, traveling around the United States to meet with a number of Indian tribes, as well as the tribes in Utah. He served the Paiutes, Goshutes and Navajos, working to improve conditions for his people in education, employment, health issues and more.
| |
American Red Cross: Everyday Heroes
Even when his government job ended, his dream continued. He served as an important role model for a young man who had broken the law, and helped him work through his problems.
Bruce Parry is now executive director of the Northwest Band of Shoshone Indians, who were signers of the Treaty of Box Elder of 1863. By signing the treaty, Chief Pokatello and eight other chiefs ended the hostilities between settlers and the Shoshone Tribe, establishing specific land for the tribe. The country claimed by Pokatello and his people is bounded on the west by Raft River and on the east by the Porteneuf Mountains in Idaho. As a member of the Shoshone Tribe, Bruce can again bring opportunities to his people as their executive director.
Bruce feels that the support his parents provided him has greatly blessed his life. He is married with four children and wants his family to be close. He provides encouragement for plans his children have made, and his motto remains the same: "Family impacts your success." For Bruce Parry, the impact is unmistakable.
Resource: Jackie Leavitt's "Everyday Heroes" Olympic materials