Native cowboys and cowgirls compete at rodeo’s 50th anniversary
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Native American athletes from across the United States and Canada competed Tuesday in Las Vegas at the 50th annual Indian National Finals Rodeo.
The event drew both veteran attendees and first-timers like Hannah Joy Fleury, Tlingit and Haida from Alaska, who enjoyed the bull riding.
Terry Tatsey, Blackfeet, has attended the INFR since it moved to Las Vegas 18 years ago and noted the increasing level of competition, with some rodeo participants using the event to launch careers in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Many competitors and spectators spoke of the rodeo’s strong community bonds. Norma Wauneka, Navajo, watched her daughter Justine Begay, a former INFR champion, compete, and described the friendships forged through rodeo as family.
Participants also emphasized the cultural significance of horsemanship, connecting it to traditions of training horses for transportation and buffalo hunting. The first day of competition concluded with an awards ceremony where winners received golden belt buckles. Justine Begay won the Ladies Breakaway event in 1.80 seconds, and Latrell Long scored 85 in bull riding, among other results. The Indian National Finals Rodeo continues to be a showcase for Native rodeo athletes and a celebration of their traditions.
