The Buffalo: A Treaty of Cooperation, Renewal and Restoration is inviting all Bison, Buffalo, Iinnii, Tatanga, Tatanka, Paskwâwimostos, Xaniti, Qwisp, Kamquq̓ q̓ ukuǂ ʔiyamu, Iyanee’, heneeceeno',ésevone, Mushkode Bizhikim, Q’weyqway, Hii3einoon, boyzhan, and many more relatives to a Gathering this September 22-25, 2024. The event is co-hosted by Motokiiksi (Buffalo Women’s Society), Blood Tribe (Kainai First Nation) of Blackfoot Confederacy and the International Buffalo Relations Institute.
The anniversary celebration agenda is based on three principles:
1. Relations – The Kainai Nation welcomes all signatories from all directions of the Buffalo Treaty and Buffalo Country and Peoples. Buffalo is our relative and we are part of Buffalo.
2. Buffalo Spirit – To honor, recognize, and revitalize the time immemorial relationship with Buffalo and renew its embodiment. Buffalo will take the focus as the keystone that connects us all to strengthening all relationships.
3. Community – This is a historic moment that allows for the sharing of the multi dimensions of cultural and ecological knowledge.
We will stress that this is not a conference; it is a gathering with Buffalo. It is important to acknowledge the last decade of increased Buffalo consciousness, but the theme of the gathering is Renewal which means embracing the future and looking at where we need to go.
In honour of this theme, we are looking to support intergenerational groups interested in experiencing this historic gathering. Examples of intergenerational groups can include, but are not limited to, grandparents and grandchildren, parents and children, aunts and nieces, etc. Tell us about who you would like to share this experience with and what your relationship is to them and to the Buffalo. Is this a new journey you are embarking on with each other? Or, is this an opportunity to strengthen existing connections?
Date: September 22nd-25th, 2024
Event website: https://buffalorelations.land/buffalotreaty#:~:text=10th%20Anniversary%20of%20The%20Buffalo,relationship%20with%20the%20Buffalo%20Treaty.
Location: Stand Off, Alberta for the event, hotel accommodation is in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Please complete your application by August 16th, 2024. You will be notified if you are successful by September 3rd, 2024. Please note that there is modest funding available so we are looking to support roughly 4-5 families to attend.
CIER will prearrange a hotel for accommodation, and registration and conference meals are covered by the Buffalo Relations Institute. Therefore, meals outside of the event and transportation including rental cars will be the responsibility of the participant until the submission of the final expense claim. After the conference, approved applicants will be required to submit an expense claim with receipts to CIER to be reimbursed.