Indigenous leaders speak as the University of Lethbridge and the City of Lethbridge sign the Buffalo Treaty, March 8, 2023. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

City and University of Lethbridge sign Buffalo Treaty

Mar 8, 2023 | 3:27 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Two major entities in Lethbridge have committed to the calls to action under the Buffalo Treaty.

At the University of Lethbridge (U of L) on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, officials with the U of L and the City of Lethbridge added their signatures to the treaty.

U of L Vice Provost of Indigenous Relations Leroy Little Bear says the university is the first institution of higher learning to do so, and it marks a significant occasion.

“The signing of the treaty by the University of Lethbridge, by the City of Lethbridge, is a very historic thing. It sets a precedent for other cities, schools, and so on to do the same,” says Little Bear.

The Buffalo Treaty was established in 2014 after being drafted at the U of L. As stated in the treaty, its purpose and objective is, “To honour, recognize, and revitalize the time immemorial relationship we have with buffalo.”

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Little Bear explains that the buffalo is important to many Indigenous cultures, as it symbolically acts as a portal for other forms of wildlife to come into the world and thrive.

“The buffalo plays a role in bringing all these other animals, all these other plants, and so on. It really is an eco-engineer,” says Little Bear.

He adds that a university functions in a similar way to the buffalo. “Everybody within the university; staff, both academic and non-academic, faculties, departments, all come together to service those students in the same way the buffalo brings all these other animals and plants together,” Little Bear says.

The Buffalo Treaty includes eight priority action areas that signatories should dedicate themselves to. As outlined in the treaty, the articles are:

• ARTICLE I – CONSERVATION
  • Recognizing BUFFALO as a practitioner of conservation, We, collectively, agree to: perpetuate conservation by respecting the interrelationship between us and ‘all our relations’ including animals, plants, and Mother Earth; to perpetuate and continue our spiritual ceremonies, sacred societies, sacred languages, and sacred bundles to perpetuate and practice as a means to embody the thoughts and beliefs of ecological balance.
• ARTICLE II – CULTURE
  • Realizing BUFFALO Ways as a foundation of our ways of life, We, collectively, agree to perpetuate all aspects of our respective cultures related to BUFFALO including customs, practices, harvesting, beliefs, songs, and ceremonies.
• ARTICLE III – ECONOMICS
  • Recognizing BUFFALO as the centerpiece of our traditional and modern economics, We, collectively, agree to perpetuate economic development revolving around BUFFALO in an environmentally responsible manner including food, crafts, eco-tourism, and other beneficial by-products arising out of BUFFALO’s gift to us.
• ARTICLE IV – HEALTH
  • Taking into consideration all the social and health benefits of BUFFALO ecology, We, collectively, agree to perpetuate the health benefits of BUFFALO.
• ARTICLE V – EDUCATION
  • Recognizing and continuing to embody all the teaching we have received from BUFFALO, We, collectively, agree to develop programs revolving around BUFFALO as a means of transferring intergenerational knowledge to the younger and future generations and sharing knowledge amongst our respective NATIONS.
• ARTICLE VI – RESEARCH
  • Realizing that learning is a life-long process, We, collectively, agree to perpetuate knowledge-gathering and knowledge-sharing according to our customs and inherent authorities revolving around BUFFALO that do not violate our traditional ethical standards as a means to expand our knowledge base regarding the environment, wildlife, plan life, and the role BUFFALO played in the history, spiritual, economic, and social life of our NATIONS.
• ARTICLE VII – ADHESION
  • North American Tribes and First Nations, and nations, states, and provinces may become signatories to this treaty providing they agree to the terms of this treaty.
• ARTICLE VIII – PARTNERSHIPS AND SUPPORTERS
  • We, collectively, invited NON-Governmental organizations, Corporations and others of the business and commercial community, to form partnership(s) with the signatories to bring about the manifestation of the intent of this treaty. Organizations and Individuals may become signatories to this treaty as partners and supporters, providing they perpetuate the spirit and intent of this treaty.

City of Lethbridge Indigenous Relations Advisor Charlene Bruised Head-Mountain Horse says the signing of the treaty is important to the city, both in terms of the treaty’s historical context and for modern interpretations for what the buffalo represents.

She adds that the city is always working on developing new ways of advancing reconciliation.

“There is a huge commitment within the council city plan to work on building positive relations with all Indigenous peoples here in the City of Lethbridge,” says Bruised Head-Mountain Horse. “The symbolic nature of this is solidifying that there is a connection and continuation for that work to be done, and it is a priority of our city council.”

Several First Nations in Canada and the United States have already signed the Buffalo Treaty. The signatories in Alberta include:

• 2014: Blood Tribe First Nation, Siksika Nation, Piikani Nation, Tsuut-ina Nation
• 2015: Stoney Nakoda First Nation (Chiniki), Stoney Nakoda First Nation (Wesley), Samson Cree First Nation
• 2019: Ermineskin First Nation, Montana First Nation, Woodland Cree First Nation, Frog Lake First Nation, Pigeon Lake Cree Nation

The Mount Royal University Iniskin Centre is also listed as a supporter and partner of the treaty.

More details are available on the Buffalo Treaty website.

University of Lethbridge President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon signs the Buffalo Treaty, March 8, 2023. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen (back), and City Councillors Jenn Schmidt-Rempel, John Middleton-Hope, Mark Campbell, and Jeff Carlson sign the Buffalo Treaty, March 8, 2023. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now