Horse racing action was centre stage at the second annual Indian Relay Races held Sept. 6-8 at the High Prairie Elks Pro Rodeo Grounds. Sucker Creek First Nation hosted the event, which was accredited by the Horse Nations Indian Relays Races. Results counted towards the Champion of Champions Race at the end of the season. Riders from Treaties 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 competed in men’s relay, women’s race, chief’ race, warrior’s race and Little Brave’ Race. Bull riding and bronc riding were also featured. Outside the arena, the event also included an Indigenous vendors’ market, a midway and fun zone. A tribute was given to the late Frank Pratt, who passed away April 3, 2024 at age 97. A longtime support of rodeo, he had a longtime passion to bring Indian Relay Races to High Prairie.
The Drifting Swan Drummers and Singers, of Driftpile Cree Nation and Swan River First Nation, performed during the Grand Entry at the Indian Relay Races.Treaty 8 Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi, left, and Lesser Slave Lake MLA Scott Sinclair, right, participated in the Grand Entry in the Indian Relay Races in High Prairie.Brenden Kasinec, of High Prairie, hangs on in saddle bronc riding as part of the Indian Relay Races in High Prairie.The Little Braves Race featured the youngest riders at the Indian Relay Races.The Ladies’ Race was entertaining at the Indian Relay Races. Note the full grandstand behind.Jennifer (Squeed) Anderson, of Gift Lake shows her crafts in her business Squeed’s Mucks and Mocs in the vendors’ market.Joyce Lamouche, of Gift Lake, shows her crafts in her business J&J Crafti in the vendors’ market.HB Native Design owner Bertha Wilson, left, and DD Creations owner Dorothy Horseman, both of Horse Lake, show their crafts.The Swing was popular for children of all ages at the kids’ fun zone at the Indian Relay Races in High Prairie.Reckless was a fun ride for children and youth at the kids’ fun zone at the Indian Relay Races in High Prairie.
