Relationships

Existence is a “spider web” network of relationships in the Indian mind world. That mind world forever is in search of regular patterns that give existence to our people through our cultural life ways. The Buffalo is keystone to the maintenance of life ways of cooperation, kindness, renewal, and sharing amongst and between peoples.

The Signatories of the Treaty gather annually to celebrate the work done and to discuss next steps. 

The Treaty was first signed on September 24, 2014 at the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana. The following nations were present: Blackfeet Nation, Kainai/Blood Tribe, Siksika Nation, Piikani Nation, the Assiniboine and Gros Ventre Tribes of Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of Fort Peck Indian Reservation, the Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Indian Reservation, and Tsuut’ina Nation. 

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In August 2015, the Stoney Nakoda’s Chiniki and Wesley Bands hosted their Treaty ceremony at the Banff Indian Ground with the Samson Cree Nation.  Together they signed the Treaty at the 1st anniversary signing meeting on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation on September 23, 2015. The Anniversary meeting was part of a week-long Buffalo Celebration and Education. 

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In September 2016, Treaty 4 Nations hosted their signing ceremony on the Treaty 4 Reserve grounds and nine Nations signed the Buffalo Treaty: Sakimay First Nation, Star Blanket Cree Nation, Okanese First Nation, Ocean Man First Nation, Ochapowace First Nation, Pheasant Rump Nakota Nation, Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation, and Sapotaweyak Nation. On September 28-29, 2016, the signatory nations, supporters, and observers gathered in Banff, AB. The 2nd anniversary was held jointly with the American Bison Society (ABS) Meeting.

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In 2017, Mistawasis Nêhiyawak hosted their own signing ceremony and then signed at the May 21-22, 2018 annual meeting hosted by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Indian Reservation. The Ktunaxa Nation and the Secwépémc Nation also signed the Treaty. 

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On September 20, 2019, the Samson Cree hosted the annual meeting of the signatories and supporters of the Treaty. The Ermineskin First Nation, Montana First Nation, Woodland Cree First Nation,  Frog Lake First Nation, and the Pigeon Lake Cree Nation joined the Treaty and the leadership of the Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation reaffirmed their participation.  The signatories also met on October 5-6, 2019 in Chico Hot Springs and the Eastern Shoshone Tribes and the Oglala Sioux Tribe of Pine Ridge signed the Treaty. On October 31, 2019, the InterTribal Buffalo Council signed the Treaty at the American Bison Society Meeting in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

In 2022:
On June 2, in Wind River Reservation, Wyoming the Northern Arapaoe, WY and the Lipan Apache, YX signed the Treaty at the Yellowstone 150th anniversary Gathering.
On July 15, Louis Bull Tribe, and Nekaneet First Nation signed the Treaty and the Battleford Agency Tribal Council announced their intenton of signing the Treaty.
On August 17, the Ahtahakakoop Cree Nation, Moosomin First Nation, Mosquito—Grizzley Bear’s Head—Lean Man First Nation, Red Pheasant Cree Nation, Saulteaux First Nation, Stoney Knoll Band, and Sweetgrass First Nation composing the Battleford Agency Tribal Council as well as the Waterhen Lake First Nation (Sîkîp Sâkahikan) signed the Treaty at the Sweetgrass Nation Pow wow.

Map of all the signatories

Click on the link to open the google map of the over 40 signatories and learn about each of them: https://goo.gl/maps/fjXjRrEAUzh5kmmq9

Buffalo Treaty Map updated (2020).jpg

Partnerships and supporters

Non-Governmental Organisations, corporations, business, municipalities, museums, zoos, schools can form partnership with the signatories to bring about the manifestation of the intent of this Treaty. Organisations and Individuals may become signatories to this Treaty as partners and supporters providing they perpetuate the spirit and intent of the Buffalo: A Treaty of Cooperation, Renewal and Restoration.