(Ottawa, ON) – May 15, 2025 – On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, our host is joined by Marty Wildman. Marty is an accomplished rodeo judge, rodeo cowboy, actor, stuntman, musician, President of the Alberta Treaty Hockey Association, co-founder of Stunt Nations, and co-owner of Lone Eagle Ventures. Above all, he is a devoted family man who loves horses and sharing his skills and vast knowledge to help others on their healing journeys. 

Marty joins this discussion from a Northern Alberta community, where he is facilitating equine assisted learning with Indigenous youth through a school program. Marty comes from a long lineage of cowboys and for those lucky enough to learn from him, he will tell you that horses are the ultimate teachers. Through Lone Eagle Ventures, Marty instructs young Indigenous learners on the basics of horse care, all the way to independent riding. Along the way, children and youth learn about themselves, their culture and gain confidence and collaborative leadership skills. All teachings and learning is consistent with a First Nations way of knowing and being.

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This very important calling is only one aspect of Marty’s story. Growing up in Mini Thni, a Stoney Nakoda First Nation west of Calgary, Marty shares how the foothills are his home and have been for generations. Marty has always had an artistic spirit. In his youth, Marty turned to music as a way to overcome shyness, and to help him connect with and express himself in the world. Talking to Marty today, one would not consider him shy. Certainly to have accomplished all he has, including co-founding two companies, performing and being a leader in all he does, the confidence that shines through is balanced perfectly with humility and humour – traits that are no doubt kept in check by his wife and business partner in Lone Eagle Ventures. 

In this important conversation, Marty weaves in teachings from horses, with lessons in life and the importance of self-trust and forgiveness above all things. On the topic of Reconciliation, Marty shares how at times, it feels as though we are from achieving it. As with horses, he says that actions must match the genuine intention to build healthy relationships rooted in trust.

The LHF is a national, Indigenous-led, charitable organization that has been working to promote healing and Reconciliation in Canada for over 25 years. The LHF’s goal is to educate Canadians about the history and existing intergenerational impacts of the Residential and Day School Systems and subsequent Child Welfare System on Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) Survivors, their descendants, and their communities to address discrimination against Indigenous Peoples, and to promote hope and healing in Canada. The LHF works to encourage Canadians to address discrimination and injustice to contribute to the equity, dignity, and respectful treatment of all.

The LHF has more than 30 educational exhibitions that educate Canadians about Indigenous history and that are free to borrow. LHF also has curriculums for K -12 and for adults, along with Activity Guides, Workshops and Training, and two Podcast series, all aimed at educating Canadians about Indigenous history and the shared history of Residential and Day Schools, the Child Welfare System, and other colonial acts of oppression. The LHF works to develop empathy and understanding to eliminate ongoing racism against Indigenous Peoples and to foster Reconciliation in Canada.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Teresa Edwards, B.A., LL.B / J.D.
Executive Director and In-House Legal Counsel
Legacy of Hope Foundation
tedwards@legacyofhope.ca