LAS VEGAS – Crawler, Dixon, Benjamin, Wesley, Wildman, Bearspaw – these names have flashed across the big screen at the Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR) in Las Vegas time and time again.
This year is no exception as Îyârhe Nakoda First Nation riders and ropers are preparing to mount decades-old family legacies at the grandest show of Indigenous rodeo.
“It’s something that every cowboy and cowgirl, including the younger ones, hopes to compete for. This is what they’re shooting for is to get a chance to go to the INFR and represent their Nation, represent their families, represent themselves, and get a chance to bring back that world title,” said Marty Wildman, owner of equine-based Stunt Nations in Mînî Thnî and long-time judge for the INFR.
“It’s like the Super Bowl of First Nations rodeo.”
Among those competing and representing Îyârhe Nakoda First Nation at the 47th annual event are 2021 senior breakaway roping world champion and legendary cowboy Troy Crawler, who qualified for three events, and world team roping champions and cousins Ollie and Elliot Benjamin, competing in a combined two team roping events.
The cousins, whom Wildman called “masters of timed events” qualified in separate teams for senior roping this year, with Crawler and Ollie on one team, placing second and fourth consecutively as header and heeler, and Elliot and Darrell Taypotat – one of the top steer wrestlers in Saskatchewan – on the other.
“As fierce as some of these competitors are, they also help others try to win. That’s the biggest thing about rodeos; no matter who your competitor is, you’re always there to lend each other a hand to try and win,” said Wildman.
“That just goes back to the whole cowboy code and helping your fellow man out.”
Wildman, Crawler’s brother-in-law, is also competing in the open and senior team roping qualifier events hoping to earn a wild card spot in the finals with teammates Brent Dodginghorse and Jesse Starlight from Tsuut’ina Nation.
While he’s kept busy with judging most years, Wildman still enjoys competing when he can. His late uncle, Art, was also prominent on the rodeo scene.
He said some are just “born on horseback.”
“In many cases, rodeo is something that you’re kind of born into and that’s why we love it and why we do it. And that’s why we try to pass it on to our kids,” said Wildman.
Also competing for a qualifying spot at the INFR are Mînî Thnî cowgirls following in their father’s footsteps Lita and Lexi Crawler.
Lita competed at the Calgary Stampede earlier this year in the first-ever Lady Warrior race – a single, fast-paced bareback lap around the track.
During the INFR tour, the young cowgirl racked up enough points and winnings to earn 42nd place in barrel racing and 62nd in breakaway. At the INFR, she and her sister will test their skills in the open barrel racing and breakaway roping events.
Also set to make an appearance in the qualifiers for senior breakaway and team roping is Bearspaw First Nation Chief Darcy Dixon, who is no stranger to rodeo.
“My father was heavily involved in rodeos. My grandfather was a rancher south of Calgary, living west of Nanton at a ranch for a long period of time, and we lived there, too,” said Dixon.
“My brothers and all my kids, and my grandkids have been involved in rodeo for as long as I can remember.”
The chief said the Nation has produced some great rodeo athletes over the years, many of them brought up around horses and livestock, and “that tradition continues today with our younger people.”
“It’s a pretty big deal for the people who have qualified for this,” he said. “There’s a lot of great competition there, but the Nation’s cowboys and cowgirls hold their own, and we’re pretty proud of that.”
The INFR runs from Oct. 24-28 at the South Point Equestrian Centre in Las Vegas. Final qualifiers for the rodeo run from Oct. 20-21.
The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada. The position covers Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation and Kananaskis Country.
