The Buffalo: A Treaty of Cooperation, Renewal and Restoration

Is one of the largest modern treaties. It highlights the necessity of conversation, culture, economics, health, education, and research in relation to upholding the Buffalo as the foundational way of life. At its core, the Treaty calls for the revitalization of relations with the Buffalo so that all parties to the treaty and the Buffalo: “will once again live together to nurture each other culturally and spiritually. It is our collective intention to recognize BUFFALO as a wild free-ranging animal and as an important part of the ecological system; to provide a safe space and environment across our historic homelands, on both sides of the United States and the Canadian border, so together WE can have our brother the BUFFALO, lead us in nurturing our land, plants and other animals to once again realize THE BUFFALO WAYS for our future generations.” To date, over thirty Indigenous Nations/Tribes have signed the Treaty including Indigenous peoples from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Montane, Idaho, Wyoming, and South Dakota. Signatories with relations to the Bow Valley include the Iyahe Nakoda, Cree, Tsuut’ina, Blackfoot, Secwepemc, and Ktunaxa Nations.

Buffalo Treaty means revitalizing relations with the Buffalo, recognizing the “wild free-ranging animal as an important part of the ecological system, to provide a safe space and environment across our historic homelands, on both sides of the United States and the Canadian border, so together WE can have our brother the BUFFALO, lead us in nurturing our land, plants and other animals to once again realize THE BUFFALO WAYS for our future generations” Signatories of the Buffalo Treaty with relations to the Bow Valley include the Ĩyãħé Nakoda, Cree, Tsuut’ina, Blackfoot, Secwepemc, and Ktunaxa Nations.