14 | NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY
JUNE 2025
nature
SUBMITTED PHOTO
“The goal is to repopulate the lands,” BlueSky says. “It’s a very unfortunate situation that we're living in where we're seeing all of our large game animals disappear, not only because of slaughter but also because of habitat that's not a suitable. So what we're doing with this treaty is trying to protect (the buffalo) and repopulate our lands.” Signing onto the Buffalo Treaty was a “no-brainer,” BlueSky adds.
quite young fellows who haven’t worked on our ranch before … so they’re really growing with the herd, learning and understanding more every day,” BlueSky says. “I know our young guys and our community really want to (raise the buffalo) in a good way.” This spring, 13 new calves were born to the herd. BlueSky says it’s a good sign the buffalo feel welcome. “When I announced the first buffalo was born, one of the chiefs said to me that it was a very powerful message that the buffalo feel safe, taken care of and respected, so that’s very important to me,” BlueSky says.
Brokenhead welcomes back BUFFALO
“My community was a buffalo community at one time, but our buffalo left about a decade or so ago. … I’ve always missed them and I know I share the same sentiment as my community,” BlueSky says. “They bring a certain spirit with them and, in my view, a lot of healing comes with the buffalo.” The herd was welcomed with much celebration from the community and beyond,
“They seem to be getting pretty comfortable. You can see them running around and all the young calves playing — it’s a really interesting thing.” The herd is currently enclosed on a ranch that continues to expand, BlueSky says, adding the recent dry weather and fire risk has been a concern. Fire bans are in place and there is no
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WE WANT THEM TO FEEL LIKE THEY’RE BEING TAKEN CARE OF. “ – Gordon BlueSky, Brokenhead Chief
BY ERIN DEBOOY
A herd of buffalo is thriving after being welcomed in Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, bringing the community together in an effort to repopulate the land. The buffalo — 20 cows and two bulls— were given to Brokenhead by Zagime Anishinabek Nation, located in Southeast Saskatchewan, as part of a Buffalo Treaty, said Brokenhead Chief Gordon BlueSky. Their obligation through the treaty is to raise and grow the herd until it is large enough to share another 20 cows and two bulls with another First Nation.
BlueSky says, with people from all over Manitoba stopping to see the buffalo, some saying prayers and making offerings.
smoking allowed around the herd because of the risk. BlueSky says they’re currently discussing plans on what to do in case a fire breaks out. “These animals can do fine without us, but once you put the fence around them they’re our responsibility. That's why it's very important for us to make sure that they're being taken care of,” BlueSky says. “We want them to feel like they're being taken care of. We want them to feel safe. We have a commitment to the herd for as long as we have them, which I'm hoping will be forever.”
“When we first announced that we were bringing the buffalo home, so many of our community members — across all political views and ages — came together and were really excited about it,” BlueSky says. Members of the community have also stepped up to make sure the herd has settled in and are well taken care of. “We’ve had two young guys that have gotten involved handling the herd, and it’s really special because they’re
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