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The Northern Plains Indian Rodeo Association (NPIRA) formed
in 2005 encompasses eastern Montana including the Crow, Northern Cheyenne and
Fort Peck Reservations and includes Yellowstone County. For the first time in
the 30-year history of the Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR), the Indian
cowboys and cowgirls in this area have been approved to form a region and
qualify contestants for the annual Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR).
The 2005 NPIRA rodeo season exceeded expectations in
membership base and rodeo production. The NPIRA became the largest INFR region
with 270 plus members. Nine rodeos were held in the 2005 season paying out more
than $222,066. The annual Crow Fair served as the NPIRA’s 2005 Tour Rodeo. The
NPIRA regional finals were held in Crow Agency, MT paying out $28,934. See
rodeo results.
Previously, this area fell under the United Indian Rodeo
Association based in Browning Montana. Eastern Montana Indian rodeo contestants
attended UIRA or other regions in Idaho and South Dakota in order to qualify for
the Indian National Finals. In the INFR’s 30 year history, these contestants
have ranked among the top qualifiers of the INFR posting 16 world championships,
as well as qualifying 40 other contestants for the annual “superbowl” of Indian
rodeo.
The NPIRA was previously known as the Crow Rodeo
Association (CRA) formed in 2002 in an effort to enhance rodeo competition among
Crow cowboys and cowgirls. Additionally, the CRA offered a local circuit for
competition. The CRA evolved from a District Rodeo competition held in June
2001 during Crow Native Days in Crow Agency, Montana. In 2004, the CRA expanded
to an all-Indian format and just fewer than 150 members successfully producing 8
rodeos on the Crow and Northern Cheyenne reservation. The past success of the
CRA was evidence that the NPIRA had the contestant base and ability to produce
successful rodeos to sustain a region.
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as of
06/30/2008