10/07/2026
Special thanks to Kelly Kocur Jacobson for the amazing photographs!
It's been a couple of months since Rodeo weekend, but we're still looking back on one of the most exciting additions to this year's event!
🐎 INDIGENOUS RELAY RACING MAKES HISTORY AT THE 2026 OPASQUIA AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY RODEO! 🐎
For the first time in our Rodeo's history, we welcomed Indigenous Relay Racing to our arena!
Six teams travelled from First Nations communities across Alberta and Saskatchewan to help us introduce this incredible sport to northern Manitoba. They brought outstanding horses, talented riders, young racers, proud families, and a tradition rich in culture and horsemanship.
For many spectators, this was their first opportunity to experience Indigenous Relay Racing, and the excitement from the crowd said it all!
🏇 SIX TEAMS MADE THE JOURNEY TO THE PAS
We were honoured to welcome:
Whitefish Warriors – Big River First Nation, Saskatchewan
Grey Eagle Express – Saddle Lake First Nation, Alberta
Battle River Relay – Sweetgrass First Nation, Saskatchewan
Wild Child – Buffalo Narrows, Saskatchewan
Bluehill Magic – Little Pine First Nation, Saskatchewan Batoche Relay – One Arrow First Nation, Saskatchewan
These teams travelled many miles to take part in our inaugural event. We are incredibly grateful they took a chance on something new and helped us bring Indigenous Relay Racing to our community.
THE EXCITEMENT IN THE ARENA!
The adult relay races featured three teams competing each day over two heats, bringing speed, skill, courage, and incredible horsemanship to the track.
One of the weekend's standout riders was Koltyn Checkosis, who competed with Bluehill Magic and Batoche Relay. This talented up-and-coming rider gave spectators a firsthand look at the athleticism, determination, and teamwork that make Indigenous Relay Racing so exciting to watch.
The atmosphere was electric, and the cheers from the crowd made it clear that this was something special!
OUR LIL' BRAVES STOLE THE SHOW!
As exciting as the adult races were, our youngest riders certainly captured everyone's hearts!
These young racers proudly demonstrated their growing skills, confidence, and love of horses.
A big round of applause for:
⭐ Kyro Wuttunee, age 10 – Whitefish Warriors, Big River First Nation
⭐ Zoey Petite, age 9, and Ava Petite, age 10 – Wild Child, Sandy Lake First Nation
⭐ Bailey Pooyak, age 13 – Battle River Relay, Sweetgrass First Nation
And who could forget the brave little toddler who rode ba****ck around the field? What a wonderful moment to witness!
These young riders reminded us that Indigenous Relay Racing is about so much more than competition. It's about family, culture, tradition, a love of horses, and passing knowledge and skills from one generation to the next.
THE WHITEFISH FAMILY – RELAY, FAMILY & HOPE
We would like to share a special recognition of Gilbert, Mallory, and Kyro Whitefish, whose dedication to Indigenous Relay Racing helped make our first event so memorable.
Gilbert's passion for horses began growing up in Big River First Nation. When Indigenous Relay Racing began gaining momentum in Canada, it was a natural fit for those who shared his love of horses and horsemanship.
In 2016, the Canadian Indian Relay Racing Association (CIRRA) was established by Dexter Bruisedhead of the Kainai Nation. As the sport continued to grow, Indigenous Relay Racing eventually became a competitive event at the Calgary Stampede.
The Whitefish Warriors were among the early Treaty 6 teams fortunate enough to perform at the Calgary Stampede for three consecutive years before Relay became a competitive event there.
But for Gilbert and Mallory, Relay has always meant much more than racing.
Over the years, communities have invited Gilbert to help introduce Relay Racing to their Nations, creating opportunities to showcase the talents of First Nations riders while bringing families together through their love of horses.
Gilbert and Mallory understand the financial and emotional challenges that come with organizing these events. Still, they continue because they have witnessed firsthand the positive difference horses, culture, and community can make in the lives of young people.
Through their experiences with horses and Equine Assisted Learning, they have seen how working with horses can help youth build confidence, find purpose, and strengthen connections to their culture and identity.
They believe Indigenous Relay Racing can also play an important role in reconciliation and reclaiming Indigenous identity.
For them, one of the greatest rewards is watching young riders proudly represent their Nations and knowing they may inspire another young person watching from the sidelines to dream of becoming a Relay champion one day.
Their hope is to see Indigenous Relay Racing continue to grow throughout Alberta, Saskatchewan, and now Manitoba!
Gilbert and Mallory also extend their appreciation to the communities, leaders, organizations, associations, and funders who welcome Relay teams and recognize the positive opportunities this sport brings to First Nations youth and families.
The Whitefish family story was kindly submitted by Gilbert and Mallory Whitefish.
❤️ THANK YOU FOR HELPING US MAKE HISTORY!
An event like this doesn't happen without people who believe in bringing something new and meaningful to our community.
The Opasquia Agricultural Society extends a heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsors who helped make our inaugural Indigenous Relay Racing event possible:
👏 Opaskwayak Cree Nation
👏 The Pas Friendship Centre
👏 Swampy Cree Tribal Council
👏 Cree Nation Tribal Health
👏 Paskwayak Business Development Corp.
👏 Otineka Mall
👏 University College of the North
👏 Mosakahiken Cree Nation
👏 Christian Sinclair Consulting
Your support helped us introduce this exciting sport to our Rodeo while celebrating Indigenous culture, horsemanship, and traditions. We are truly grateful for your generosity and belief in this event.
To every team, rider, young racer, family member, and supporter who travelled the miles to join us, THANK YOU!
You took a chance on our first event, shared your talents and traditions with our community, and helped create memories that will stay with us for years to come.
This was our first Indigenous Relay Race, but we certainly hope it won't be our last!
A huge shout-out to Steph Connors for stepping up as Indigenous Relay Race Coordinator! She did a fabulous job organizing and bringing everything together to make this first-time event such a success.
We're excited about the opportunity to build on what we started and look forward to welcoming you back for an even bigger and better event in 2027!
Here's to new traditions, lasting friendships, and many more exciting moments in the arena!
