Isaiah Tasunke Wamniomni Luta (Red Whirlwind Horse) Stewart, is a Lakota/Mohawk artist. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Kansas. He has been an artist his whole life from the influenced of his artist parents. Isaiah is most notably known for taking traditional Lakota culture, combined with the influence of Cowboy life after Indian Reservations were established. Isaiah owns his own horses and practices natural horsemanship that inspires his artworks. Horses are family members that are revered to plains mode of survival. Creating works through painting, drawing, and graphic design, allow Isaiah to share his gifts and understanding of western & native culture. Isaiah makes his home in Kansas with his wife Melissa and daughter Phoenix and his horses. Learn more at IsaiahStewartArt.com

Enjoy the talented Ruben Little Head Jr performing the Horse Dance during Celebrate EquiFest- World of Horses. The Sacred Horse Dance is a traditional ceremony performed by many Native American tribes to honor the spirits of horses and thank them for their assistance in daily life. The dance often involves intricate footwork and colorful costumes, with participants hoping to show respect for the animals and gain their favor.

Ruben Little Head, Northern Cheyenne, was brought up speaking his native language and learning a lot from his Cheyenne elders. Originally from Tongue River and Lame Deer, MT, Ruben was taught a lot about the drum, such as respect, protocol, etiquette, and different mannerisms. Currently, Ruben lives in Lawrence, Kansas. He is a graduate of Haskell Indian Nations University, and he works as an independant tribal consultant with various US tribal organizations and Canadian First Nations.  Most of his work is within the capacities of Development, Empowerment and Revitalization. Ruben is also a coach and trainer for the sport of basketball. Ruben is an extraordinary speaker and narrator of Native American traditions. He has served as a distinguished announcer for the largest pow wow in North America, Gathering of Nations, since 2010. With vitality he reaches into the heart of what a celebration of tradition is all about. His enthusiasm and passion for uniting nations and making everyone feel welcome is infectious. Ruben gives 110% to every event. “As an emcee, when your voice carries, it can also heal, and it can brighten up someone’s day. It helps the drummers to get into it, the dancers to get into it -- people just feel good there. And it feels good knowing that we’re still carrying out our native traditions.”

Noella Red Hawk is from the Seminole Nation. Noella is a “Champion” Women’s Northern Traditional dancer. She travels throughout the world teaching about Indigenous culture and traditions. At home, Noella is involved in the horse training process and takes great pride to implement Lakota Horsemanship concepts and proper nutrition for the overall wellbeing of their horses. Noella has been recognized in the Appaloosa magazine for her beadwork display on former “Miss Rodeo Montana”. Noella is a Native American Artist. She spends most of her time doing bead word, making traditional regalia, and doing mixed media art. Noella also enjoys cooking native food.

Tashina Red Hawk is an enrolled member of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate. Tashina lives in the Old Ring Thunder Community which is located along the Little White River on the Rosebud Reservation. Tashina’s Lakota name is Anpetu Yuonihan Win which means “Honors the Day Woman”. Tashina is the 2022-2023 Miss Indian World and the 2022-2023 4H Youth in Action Agricultural Representative. Tashina is a Cultural Presenter, Champion Traditional dancer, and a mixed media Lakota Artist. Tashina was raised learning the Lakota Horsemanship concepts and has trained all her own horses alongside her parents. Tashina is the 2X Gathering of Nations Horse and Rider Women’s World Champion and 2X Best in Show Champion

Shane Red Hawk is from the Sicangu Lakota Nation, Located on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. Shane Red Hawk is an enrolled member of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate. Shane is a Cultural Presenter, Language Instructor, and a mixed media Lakota Artist. Shane was raised on the Rosebud Reservation with horses his entire life. Shane currently raises Heritage Appaloosa which that have lineage of the Original “Chief Joseph” bloodlines. Shane and his family breeds, trainings and finishes all their own horses. Shane is the 2x Gathering of Nations World Horse and Rider Men’s Champion.

Ron McDaniel and his wife Nancy live in NW Arkansas, where they have 3 kids, 4 grandkids. They were also foster parents, having fostered teenagers for five years. They have horses, dogs, and just enough cattle to be in constant debt to the bank. Ron works in the Equine division for Merck Health Company and day works for area ranches. As a testament to his cowboying skills, the cow boss at Adams Cattle Company said, “Hiring Ron was like losing two good men.”Ron and Nancy actively support their church, as well as the Remount Foundation a therapeutic facility that helps our men and women returning from combat, and the CALL which is an organization in Arkansas dedicated to not only raising awareness about the need for families to take in foster children but is run by members who are foster parents themselves. Ron is truly grateful to have made his living working in the Animal Health Industry. Reciting poetry has taken him all over America, from Florida to Alaska. In 2015 he competed in the National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo (NCPR) and won the Humorous- Rising Star division. He went back to the NCPR and won the Humorous- Silver Buckle division and the Reciter Serious- Silver Buckle division. He enjoys anything that keeps him horseback, being with his family, and writing about himself in 3rd person.

Brayley Frazier, crowned Miss Rodeo Kansas 2024, was born and raised in Garden City, Kansas. Brayley was deeply involved in FFA livestock and horse judging, and also FCCLA during high school. A rodeo competitor for 15+ years, Brayley was honored to assume roles as National High School Rodeo Association event director for poles and calf roping at the state level. Brayley looks forward to representing Kansas in the next year and meeting new faces along the rodeo trail.

Pastor Steve Stafford is the founding Pastor at Risen Ranch Cowboy Church, which became a church plant in March of 2006, in Carthage Mo. He has served in ministry in the Cowboy culture for the past 30 years. First with Cowboys for Christ, and then in Rodeo Cowboy Ministries traveling over the Midwest, preaching at rodeos, horse shows, country fairs, clinics, ranches, big and small churches, trail rides, or wherever he was invited. He became a church planter in 2006, with the intent of starting Cowboy churches wherever he could. He has helped in some way start cowboy churches in Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, Illinois, Hawaii, and Oklahoma. He was inducted into the Better Horses Hall of Fame in 2014, honoring a lifetime of serving the horse & livestock industry in ministry. He is a contributing writer for Better Horses Magazine, is on the Better Horses Radio Show weekly, and a contributor for Better Horses Television.