Kolby KickingWoman
ICT
Garth Brooks famously sings, “It’s the ropes and the reins, and the joy and the pain and they call the thing rodeo,” in his hit song, “Rodeo.”
Indian Country’s biggest rodeo turns 50 this year, as the Indian National Finals Rodeo will celebrate its milestone at the South Point Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Oct. 13-17. The organization has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1976.
The rodeo season consists of 25 to 35 rodeos touring across the country and Canada, with many taking place at the same time many tribes hold their annual powwow celebrations. It all leads to Las Vegas, where world champions are crowned in their respective disciplines.
“Every year, it’s one of the greatest events. I always love crowning champions, seeing everybody come together, celebrating a great season,” INFR President Bo Vocu, Oglala Lakota, told ICT. “Just the whole culmination of a season, but this year being the 50th anniversary of an event, started out of a need to recognize and reward Native American rodeo athletes. To see it come this far, be as big as it is in Las Vegas, it’s just amazing that here we are, 50 years later.”
The first iteration of the rodeo was held in Salt Lake City in 1976, after five Native rodeo veterans came together and united several regional American Indian rodeo associations from across the United States and Canada. The organization is committed to protecting and strengthening the sport of rodeo along with the Native American cultural traditions tied to the sport.
(Photo courtesy Donna Hoyt)
For a long time, the Indian National Finals Rodeo did not have a permanent home. The annual event bounced around different tribal lands and eventually landed in San Carlos, Arizona, home of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, for three years.
Vocu and INFR general manager Donna Hoyt, Blackfeet, both said the rodeo had outgrown the San Carlos location and began looking for other locations.
Las Vegas seemed like a natural fit.
“We felt that Las Vegas was where we needed to be,” Vocu said. “That’s where all the biggest sporting events, that’s where the title fights take place, is in Las Vegas, and we needed to find a home there in Las Vegas.”
The nonprofit organization met with South Point in 2008 and it’s been the official host ever since. Hoyt said it’s been a great partnership.
“We have everything under one roof, we have the stalls, the hotel, the arena,” she said, “so South Point has been wonderful to work with.”
Hoyt grew up on a ranch in Montana and while she did not compete in rodeos growing up, she had siblings that did, so she’s been around the lifestyle her entire life. She’s been with the organization for 21 years and says the Native cowboys and cowgirls who compete are among the most dedicated athletes in any sport.
“They’re there every day, taking care of their horses, putting in the miles to get to the rodeos, and you know the economic situation right now, we still have those athletes getting to all the rodeos and making it work,” Hoyt said. “I feel like I have the job that people would want. I get to travel, I get to meet people and I get to enjoy the sport of rodeo at its best.”
One thing that sets the INFR apart from other rodeo organizations is that as part of holding a rodeo on the tour, it is mandatory to have junior and senior events at the rodeo. This allows families to participate and travel together, Vocu said.
“We have grandkids competing with parents, competing with grandparents; it’s a much more family-oriented organization, that’s kind of our traditional way,” he said. “Everybody’s included. So when we get to Vegas, even though you know Vegas is Sin City, we turn the South Point into just one big family gathering of rodeo family, you know, actual family.”
The event has become such a mainstay in the city, last week Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley signed a proclamation declaring Oct. 12 Indian National Finals Rodeo Day in the city.
“In the city of Las Vegas, we ask all visitors and residents to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Indian National Finals Rodeo, we celebrate the five decades of tradition, history, excellence, and the enduring legacy of American Indian cowboys and cowgirls,” the proclamation reads in part.
The proclamation is a testament to the growth of the rodeo and Vocu joked in the past the event was “like a little cheesy pay-per-view.”
Now, the rodeo is carried live on the PBR Ride Pass channel and replayed on the Cowboy Channel where Vocu says it is one of the most viewed programs on either of the channels.
“It’s really grown to a wonderful celebration, it’s like no other celebration out there,” he said. “I mean, the way we all come together, everybody cheers for each other, everybody’s family. Everybody’s competing for a world title, but they’re happy for whoever wins it.”
Hoyt echoed the sentiments on the INFR’s growth, noting the last two performances of the week have sold out in the last few years. To celebrate the 50th anniversary, the organization has invited all of the past champions and will honor them in a Friday night celebration.
Being able to highlight the history of the Indian National Finals Rodeo through its champions is exciting, she said.
“To be able to showcase all of those that paved the way from the beginning, and let everybody see the Native cowboys and cowgirls from where we started and where we’re going, which is we’re not going anywhere,” Hoyt said. “We’re going to be here for a long time.”
The post Let ‘er buck: Indian National Finals Rodeo celebrating 50 years appeared first on ICT.
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