For thirty years, Ken Real Bird (75 years old) has been announcing for the Sheridan WYO Rodeo. His voice was real, entertaining, delightful and a staple in the tradition of the rodeo. Being a member of the Real Bird family in the Crow tribe, he was a respected elder who always brought a fire to the Indian Relay Races that take place at the start of the summer rodeo. During the week of this rodeo, Sheridan also hosts a small powwow for all the tribes to gather and dance. 

All of this would change back in 2025, on the Thursday evening of the WYO Rodeo. Ken Real Bird and his son were driving home from another fun night announcing for the crowds, when they would be unexpectedly pulled over by the WHP (Wyoming Highway Patrol). The officer arrested Ken Real Bird for a bench warrant for a non paid traffic violation from 2018. 

This traffic violation has been proven to be paid by Ken Real Bird himself back in 2022, deeming this arrest unjust. The Sheridan Press has misled many to believe he simply 'retired', they gave a false headline and tried to paint this story in a positive light. Shortly after their article, Ken Real Bird himself posted the true story of what happened on his own Facebook page. 

Ken Real Bird had the following to say after he was released:

The incident was handled as if I was a hardened career criminal with known priors of escape attempts and violent outburst. I was not a threat to the arresting officer, I am 75 years old with out a weapon and calm demeanor. Yet I was treated like I was too dangerous for humane treatment and respect for the elderly.
As a result of this incident with racist overtones, I decided to not go back for any further humiliation by the Sheridan community. I informed Mr Jesse Sam's director of the relay and Mr Zane Garstad of my decision to sever my relationship with the WYO.

They asked me if it was possible for me to come back after I had made my decision. I told them that I would if and only if they held the law enforcement accountable for their treatment and apologize or write a article of my encounter with the law enforcement. Evidently they didn't think I was worth the effort to call out the law enforcement for their handling of my arrest.

End quote. 

Despite a growing outcry by locals, both white people and the Native people, the Sheridan WYO Rodeo refuses to acknowledge the incident. Their silence is guilt. Their silence is an admission of racism. All Ken Real Bird requested was a public apology, and for the WHP to be called out for their harmful actions and for the WYO he's dedicated the last three decades of his life towards to stand by him in this hard time. Even though this man announced for the rodeo for the last three decades, they didn't deem him worthy enough to even do so much as that. 

People are calling them out on social media, but they remain silent. It is not enough. They need REAL pressure to right this wrong. So by signing this petition, we are demanding the following from the Sheridan WYO Rodeo 

Honor Ken Real Bird's Request

Apologize Publicly and Genuinely for their initial response 

Rehire Ken Real Bird with raised pay he deserves (as his initial was extremely poor at only $75 per night for four nights out of the entire year) 

Stop being silent. 

They are not only silencing Ken Real Bird by refusing to honor his requests, they are silencing a beautiful culture he was kind enough to educate everyone on regardless of skin color.