The Office of the Treaty Commissioner team was so pleased to attend the transfer of buffalo to their traditional territory on the Mosquito Grizzly Bear Head Lean Man First Nation at the end of January.

“We got bundled up with ski pants and everything because it was so cold, but worth it,” said Hailey Morin, a First Nations Youth Mentee at OTC.

“As the drivers were pulling up a group of Indigenous drummers were singing and smudging the buffalo. Then they opened the doors to let them free. They all came running one after another and some stopped and looked at us then continued their way.”

“It was a very emotional day. We all got goosebumps when the buffalo were being transferred,” said Elaine Sutherland, OTC Director of Education.

Dr. Kathy Walker, the Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan, brought greetings and shared words alongside Elders, Chief Tanya Stone, Vice-Chief David Pratt, and others.

The OTC acknowledges the leadership of the Chief and Council of Mosquito-Grizzly Bear's Head-Lean Man First Nation in signing on and implementing the Buffalo Treaty. This Treaty is about strengthening and breathing life into the First Nations' relationship with the buffalo. 

The buffalo that were transferred in this event are originally from Yellowstone National Park and were initially sent to Fort Peck Nation.  As the herd grew, the Nation wanted to give buffalo to a Nation across the Medicine Line.

“It was so beautiful to have witnessed this and I’m so thankful and grateful to have been there with them,” said Hailey.

Watch the video on CBC