While herds of buffalo no longer roam the plains in vast numbers like they used to, their cultural, spiritual, and ecological importance remain. Indigenous communities are leading efforts to restore and protect buffalo across North America through the Buffalo Treaty.
Relationship To Buffalo, from the Buffalo TreatySince time immemorial, hundreds of generations of the first peoples of the FIRST NATIONS of North America have come and gone since before and after the melting of the glaciers that covered North America. For those generations, BUFFALO has been our relative. BUFFALO is part of us and WE are part of BUFFALO culturally, materially, and spiritually. Our ongoing relationship is so close and so embodied in us that Buffalo is the essence of our holistic eco-cultural life-ways.
In 2024, from September 22 to 25, Indigenous communities from around the world came together to celebrate and renew signing of the Buffalo Treaty. This important treaty was first signed in 2014 by 11 Nations from Canada and the United States to help promote buffalo conservation – led by Indigenous communities from across North America.
Signatories and supporters gathered in Stand Off this year, welcomed by the Blood Tribe reserve to celebrate the anniversary of this incredible agreement, to renew the signing, and invite new communities to sign. This year, more than 40 Indigenous Nations and tribes from across the continent signed and renewed their commitment to the Buffalo Treaty. Global Indigenous communities also participated – joining to learn from this cooperative approach to conservation of animals native to the land.
Covering more than six million acres in Canada and the U.S., the treaty preserves buffalo and buffalo teachings through focus on conservation, culture, health, education, and research.
Supporting decolonization and respect
Our team was honoured to be at this year’s renewal and signing. Glenbow’s team was also represented at the original signing in Banff in 2014, witnessing many communities as they came together to support this shared goal.
“It’s important to show we’re there as witnesses and those that honour the treaty,” says Joanne Schmidt, Curator of Indigenous Studies & World Cultures at Glenbow. “As partners with Blackfoot communities, which Glenbow has been for a long time, it’s important to make connections and show we support the goals in buffalo teachings and their cultural goals.”
At Glenbow, events like this are a step in decolonization. By bearing witness to these incredible steps Indigenous communities are taking and signing on as a supporter, Glenbow aims to walk in parallel with Indigenous people from all Nations.
“We have a responsibility as a colonial institution to walk alongside and support Indigenous communities in what they aim to achieve,” Joanne says. “It’s a spirit of cooperation and respect, learning from others and helping with this work is really important.”
Glenbow’s commitment to the Buffalo Treaty
One area of the treaty is partner commitment to perpetuate the spirit and intent of this treaty. For Glenbow, this is top of mind as we reimagine the museum and the museum experience.
Many elements of this treaty have been embodied through our work over the past 10 years, specifically treaty articles on culture, education, and partnerships & supporters.
Article II of the treaty focuses on culture. As stewards of cultural belongings related to buffalo, we invite communities to come in and both teach us more about their cultural experiences and expressions, and community members to learn from their own Elders. We invite all communities to visit belongings stewarded by Glenbow. We also work to repatriate sacred and ceremonial items back to the communities from which they came [link to repatriation page].
Article V looks at education and teachings from buffalo. Transferring intergenerational knowledge to younger generations is vitally important to the future of the buffalo and for all of us. At Glenbow, we’ve made a commitment to honour the buffalo through our work with communities on the new Blackfoot Gallery at the museum. Elders are leading this work and sharing their learning of buffalo. Glenbow is happy to provide a space for that to be displayed and for community to create a reflection of themselves.
Learn more
If you would like to learn more about the Buffalo Treaty, the importance of buffalo, and other information, here are a few resources to help:
Galt Museum & Archives exhibition The Buffalo: A Keystone to Wellness is on until Monday, September 30
