Creation
In honor of the traditions created in the West
Out of the vast open land of middle America, cowboys, ranchers, and homesteaders created the resilient lifestyle of the West. Across the world, the cowboy stands as a symbol for those willing to roll up their sleeves, work hard, and always lend a helping hand. For generations, this way of life has been passed down to every person raised on Western values, transcending international borders and the passing of time. Though born from humble roots, the spirit of the West is found in every corner of the world through the communities carrying on these timeless traditions.
Paying homage to the global influence of the American Cowboy and the traditions passed down through generations.
American
Northwest
Fresh air. Snow-capped mountains that rip through the clouds. Endless skies. The cowboy’s legacy wasn’t born in the American Northwest, but this is where it lives—and on the Crow and Blackfeet reservations, it thrives. Now an influential force felt throughout the world, this enduring legacy was formed, and is upheld, by people of all backgrounds and identities. Cowboys and cowgirls in the Crow and Blackfeet Nations are crucial links in this ongoing chain. Native American culture and cowboy culture are built on the same foundations—an unbreakable connection with the land, an unwavering work ethic, and a commitment to serving others. The American Northwest is home to many Native American cowboys who proudly combine both traditions as they train bucking horses, herd livestock, and demonstrate their rodeo chops in the arena. In his documentary Voices of the West, Wyoming cowboy and Western musician Ian Munsick joins his childhood best friend Stephen Yellowtail—a cowboy from the Crow Nation—to challenge perceptions and celebrate the vast identities of the American cowboy, bringing a resilient heritage under the spotlight.
Sheridan, Wyoming
Cowboy and Western musician Ian Munsick
Browning, Montana
Bucking horse trainer, cowboy,
and Blackfeet tribe member Dougie Hall
Sheridan, Wyoming
Fourth-generation cowboy and Crow tribe
member Stephen Yellowtail
Cut Bank, Montana
Cowgirl, rodeo athlete, and Blackfeet tribe member Sammy Jo Bird
Alberta,
Canada
Jagged mountain peaks, dense forests, and thousands of acres of game trails make up the sublime landscape of Kananaskis Country in Alberta, Canada. For hundreds of years, people have depended on the land for forestry, cattle grazing, water, and oil and gas. Much of this land is remote—only accessible by foot or horseback, requiring the skilled to venture out on packing trips to maintain their way of life. These rich traditions are upheld by the communities surrounding the backcountry who are dedicated to keeping the heritage of the land alive by protecting its wilderness and sharing it with all who visit it. Anchor D is one of the outfitters in the Kananaskis area devoted to honoring the history of the land. Through guided mule-packing and horseback riding trail rides, Dewy Matthews and his team bring people into the high country to experience the raw power of nature and preserve the centuries-old traditions of living off the land.
Birdsville,
Australia
Deep in the Australian Outback, life is scarce. The arid, unforgiving environment spans two million square miles—about eight times the size of
Texas—yet only 600,000 people have the resilience to call it home. It takes a special kind of grit to survive out here. Isolated from the world and lacking resources, the Outback is no easy place to raise livestock. But that doesn’t stop the Australian ringers. Born from both Western and Indigenous Australian traditions, ringers are the American cowboy’s counterpart in the land down under. They carve out a life in untamed lands spanning millions of acres to sustain their way of life. Ranches like Clifton Hills Station, the second largest in the world with 4.6 million acres of land, utilize motorcycles and helicopters to herd cattle in the deadly Outback.
Chalco,
Mexico
In the Chalco municipality of Mexico, the history of the vaquero is flourishing through the iconic charro, a skilled horseman who practices the Mexican national sport of charreada. Like rodeo athletes, charros compete in individual and team events that showcase their horsemanship and roping skills, as well as their vibrant costumes designed for horseback riding. Charros such as Hugo Pedrero inspire children throughout their communities, bringing the celebration of Mexican heritage and the traditions of horsemanship to the next generation. With historic roots reaching back to the first ranches, the charro is a symbol for Mexican nationality and cultural legacies that have been passed down through families for generations.
