The High River Ag Society has expanded its partnership with FCIS to help newcomer and immigrant families experience rural rodeo culture.
In addition to providing free tickets to professional rodeo events, the Ag Society offered sponsored registrations for children to participate in “Mutton Bustin’,” an event where children ride a running sheep, similar to steer riding.
The Foothills Local Immigration Partnership (FLIP) worked with the Ag Society to support this initiative. FLIP provided a community presentation about Alberta agriculture, the history of rodeo sports as a reflection of ranching work, and how these traditions can be inclusive and accessible to everyone. This helped give new Canadians important context about rural culture.
Participants also attended an all-female rodeo competition and toured the Ag Society grounds.
The goal: to connect newcomer families with local traditions in a welcoming way. By offering sponsored registrations and free tickets, the Ag Society and FCIS made sure that cost was not a barrier to participation.
The event showed how agriculture and rodeo culture can bring people together. New Canadians left with a better understanding of rural Alberta, and local organizers were glad to share their traditions with a wider audience.
