Canada’s only Indigenous professional rodeo returns to Buffalo Lake

The Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement is preparing to host the second annual Gateway to the North Pro Rodeo, which will take place at the Community Rodeo Grounds the weekend of May 24.

The event is the only professional Indigenous rodeo in Canada.

Malcolm Auger is a member of the Buffalo Lake Recreation Society, which helps organize the rodeo in conjunction with other organizations, including C5 Rodeo.

The Métis community’s first professional rodeo, held last May, Auger said, went very well, with all registrations filled for each event, as well as excellent audience participation.

“Last year, over the two days…Saturday, Sunday…we probably had 2,000 people,” he told Lakeland This Week.

Organizers hope to match or beat that figure this year. Event registrations also saw an increase. So far, there have been around 200 registrations, Auger continued, adding that competitors in each category can win cash prizes.

Stay for the night

The new rodeo grounds, located along Highway 855 about 50 kilometers south of Lac La Biche, can accommodate daily parking and overnight camping for the three-day event.

Tickets, he said, can be purchased at the door. A two-day pass including overnight camping is available for $100.

In addition to exciting rodeos, the second annual Gateway to the North will also feature local evening musical performances. On Friday, Justin Sutton and North of 49 will perform. This concert will be followed by shows on Saturday by Blackeyed Creez and Kyle Desjarlais & Company. There is also a concert on Sunday with CC High Ryder.

“We try to be local,” Auger said, explaining that the four bands coming Friday, Saturday and Sunday all have local content.

Long History of Rodeo

The current rodeo experience is an evolution of the decades-old tradition taking place in the colony. The new rodeo grounds, built just two years ago with the help of community support and government funding, are a big step forward from the old rodeo grounds. The new site is better suited to rodeo fans and offers a better look at the higher caliber events and riders.

“Our old location was not in a good location…especially if there was bad weather…rainy, muddy,” he said, adding that the amateur rodeos that were held for two decades at Buffalo Lake were good – but being able to bring professionals into the community to showcase their skills and abilities was much better.

Auger said the Gateway to the North Pro Rodeo is not only a good show, but also a major social event that brings people from near and far together.

“It brings our community together,” he said. “We organize different events throughout the year, and this is one of the biggest.”