LAS VEGAS Pete Fredericks, of Twin Buttes, was one of the first inductees in the first Indian National Finals Rodeo Hall of Fame Nov. 12.
The induction was held during the 36th annual Indian National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas Nov. 8-12.
An enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes, Fredericks was one of six founders and original commissioners of the Indian National Finals Rodeo in 1975. The other founders and inductees were Mel Sampson, White Swan, Washington and Fred Gladstone, Bob Arrington, Dean Jackson and Jay Harwood. Fredericks and Mel Sampson are the only two still alive today, Fredericks said.
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Submitted Photo - - Pete Fredericks, Twin Buttes, was among the first inductees in the first Indian National Finals Rodeo Hall of Fame Nov. 12.
Fredericks said they wrote the program and tried to include as many regions as they could.
"We put all major events in that first rodeo: calf roping, break-a-way, barrel racing, bare bronc-riding, saddle bronc, bulldogging and bull riding with 15 in each event," said Fredericks.
In 2006, the Indian National Finals Rodeo agreed to have 30 contestants in each of the major events vying for the championship title and with this in mind, the tour rodeos got bigger. Contestants traveled thousands of miles to attend tour rodeos to get the points needed to qualify for the rodeo.
According to its website, currently, the Indian National Finals Rodeo has 11 regions in the United States and Canada, with members ranging from 10 to 80 years. Fifty-nine tribes are represented.
Next year and the following years, a nominating committee will be in place.
In 1999, Fredericks was inducted in the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in the Rodeo Division.