Eighty-five riders from all over Queensland will compete for the custom-designed buckle, created by Eddie Fisher from Ridetuff Buckles (who first rode at Isa in 1983), and features artwork by Kalkutungu artist Sheree Blackley from the Malkarri Cultural Centre (image attached).
After the historic day of competition at 6.30pm comes the official opening and cultural celebration featuring the Sundowners Kalkatungu Dancers from Mount Isa, the Desert Dust Dance Group from Barcaldine and the Komet Torres Strait Islander Art and Culture Group.
DJ Deadly Jacob, aka Jacob Takurit, a proud Torres Strait Islander from the Magaram tribe of Murray Island and a Mob FM radio presenter entertainer from Mount Isa, is the official MC and will also open for Baker Boy on the Trekk Advisory Main Stage!
The Yolŋu superstar Baker Boy (Danzal Baker) relishes keeping people on their toes. He’s reveling in a nostalgic side with his first single since 2021’s acclaimed debut album Gela. The dancer, rapper and singer has reimagined Bernard Fanning’s acoustic folk ‘Wish You Well’ as a feel-good hip-hop anthem alongside the Powderfinger front man himself. In April the Fresh Prince Of Arnhem Land went viral with his high-energy rendition of Blur’s ‘Song 2’ for triple j’s Like A Version. Mashing up the Brit-pop classic with the Baha Men’s ‘Who Let The Dogs Out’ (shook!), Baker Boy flowed in his Yolŋu Matha tongue and played Yidaki.
The Sundowners Kalkutungu Dancers were formed in 2015 and are advocates for culture to be in the forefront of every aspect of the Mount Isa community. Malkarri meaning ‘come together to corroboree’ has seen the group implement a Board of Directors, made up of Kalkutungu Elders. These Elders bring the knowledge and experience needed to continue their authentic and unique cultural work and help reiterate the importance of intergenerational sharing.
The Desert Dust Dance Troupe stars young adults from the desert tribes of Central and Northern West Queensland, including Eastern NT. They have chosen to attend school in Barcaldine while living at the Alice River Aboriginal Student Hostel, meaning they have left their homes for their education. Cheryl Thompson, emerging elder and knowledge keeper of the Yiningai tribe with her knowledge keeper team, teaches these students tribal story, dance and song at their corrobboree ground in Barcaldine at the Desert Dreaming Centre where all are welcome.
The Komet Torres Strait Islander Art and Culture Group features the Day family, who originate from Komet, one of the eight tribes of Mer Island in the Torres Strait. Their aim is to preserve and promote Traditional Meriam Torres Strait Islander culture, with knowledge passed down from Meriam Elders. The Group’s founder Mr Aicey Day has been instructing and demonstrating Meriam Culture in Townsville since 1990 and has passed Cultural Knowledge onto his children, who have been performing since they started walking.
The addition of the Indigenous Rodeo Championships into Rodeo Week makes for four days of non-stop rodeo action, family entertainment, behind the scenes tours, rock concerts, cultural celebrations, food experiences including low and slow classes by famed bit bosses The Shank Brothers, and outback trader markets.
Tickets are ON SALE NOW at Isarodeo.com.au.
Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships: Thursday August 11, 2022
In partnership with Mona Aboriginal Corporation
Buchanan Park Events Complex, George and Sutton Street, Mt Isa
Website: Isarodeo.com.au
The Queensland Government is the Principal Partner of the Indigenous Rodeo Championships and Roadshow
Mount Isa Mines Rodeo: August 11 to 14, 2022
The Mount Isa Mines Rodeo is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere
Thursday 11th August to Sunday 14th August 2022
Website: Isarodeo.com.au
This event is supported by the Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland
