The National Indian Gaming Association has partnered with the Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR) to create an awareness and educational program to address a growing problem of suicide in Indian Country.
NIGA and INFR—which has lost four Native American rodeo contestants to suicide in the past two years—have initiated a program called “Skills for a Better Tomorrow—Positive Beliefs.” The two nonprofit organizations will be joined by Dr. Blair Matheson, INFR’s arena physician, as well as contestants to focus on prevention through a greater understanding of the motives that surround suicide victims.
“We are honored to be partnering with the INFR to promote this suicide prevention awareness campaign,” said NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens. “So many of us have experienced the devastations related to the loss of a family member or friend to suicide, and it is important that we continue to do everything possible to provide avenues of education and dialogue.”
The partnership offered workshops for rodeo contestants, families and friends of the rodeo organization as part of the Junior and Senior Rodeo Championship event titles “First Skills for a Better Tomorrow—Positive Belief Discussions,” as part of the 40th Annual Indian National Finals Rodeo.
