Group gathers to protest Buffalo Party event on 51st state and use of ‘buffalo’ in name

A group gathered on Saturday to protest a Buffalo Party event on a 51st state discussion and the use of ‘buffalo’ in the party name. (Angela Stewart / CTV News)

A group of protesters with the Buffalo People Arts Institute gathered Saturday morning outside of the Regina German Club to oppose what has been a controversial topic among residents.

The group was protesting as the Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan held a fundraising discussion inside of the club on what would happen if Canada became the 51st state.

They also expressed their dislike for use of the word “buffalo” in the party’s name.

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An organizer of the protest said the party does not support the buffalo and what it means to the land.

“Our mandate has been to restore buffalo to this land and what that means to Indigenous people. What that should mean to non-Indigenous. The Buffalo Party is completely negligent in their research about why. Why are they using the world buffalo in their name,” said Joely BigEagle-Kequahtooway, an artist and co-founder of the Buffalo People Arts Institute.

BigEagle-Kequahtooway has been advocating for the buffalo for over a decade.

“Closer to 15 years and how Indigenous people are connected to the buffalo. It’s in our DNA. It’s in our blood and how that was taken from us because of colonization 150 years ago,” she said.

“I’ve known about the Buffalo Party since they started. Their mandate, their constitution is never aligned with the work that we are doing.”

CTV News has reached out to the party for comment on both concerns raised by the group but have yet to hear back.

About 50 people took part in Saturday’s Buffalo Party meeting, which included a mock vote on whether or not Canada should become the 51st state.

Of those who participated in the vote, 55 per cent voted in favour of Canada becoming the 51st state. As it was a mock vote, it does not become party policy.

- With files from Wayne Mantyka