|
On the Kainai Nation, which established its own herd in 2018 and harvested the first buffalo this past September, members were surprised and inspired by the idea of revitalizing the traditional hunting method. “That’s the dream, right? To be able to participate in an actual buffalo jump,” Alvin First Rider, an environmental technician, said. “That’s reigniting that relationship.”
Gavin, who lives in Calgary, was more familiar with Blackfoot protocol and ensured he and Jimmy came prepared for the journey.
“Before we left Calgary, Gavin had tracked down tobacco and pouches to give as culturally appropriate tokens of our appreciation,” Jimmy told me. “As we met Elders and leaders, Gavin would slip me a pouch and I’d offer it, and later we heard from members of the community that that had gotten us off to a great start. More importantly, it set the tone for our work.”
For one Elder, Jimmy and Gavin offered a pack of loose tobacco purchased in Canada, where the packaging is a little more explicit than the written health warnings on U.S. products — a distinction they only learned when the Elder pulled them aside the next day. “Pointing to the slumped-cigarette depiction of impotence on the Canadian package, he demanded, ‘You don’t want me to have any more kids?’ ”
“It wasn’t the only time we were the butt of the joke, but we always felt welcome,” Jimmy said. “I hope the warmth of the Blackfoot comes through in this story about their remarkable cultural resurgence.”
Take some time to read Jimmy’s piece, with Gavin’s photos of buffalos in the breathtaking backdrop of northwest Montana, over here.
Take care and look up,
Michelle Cyca
Senior editor
|
