Buffalo Runners Society a force for unity

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A desire to see two cultures unite has brought back to life the long dormant Buffalo Runners Society.

When the Peigan Nation and town of Pincher Creek celebrate National Aboriginal Day June 21, celebrations will go way beyond the day.

"I think it's a good idea if we start preaching to our children unity," said Maurice Little Wolf, a constable with the Peigan RCMP detachment and an Elder. "We have a lot of connections we can build on. We realize we have to work together."

That togetherness is no more evident than in the resurrection of the Buffalo Runners Society, which will have both Native and non-Native people involved.

Indeed, the idea to bring back the society came from Ken Williams, a non-Native who lives in Pincher Creek.

Williams recalls reading an article years ago in Sports Illustrated, which explained the success of athletes in poorer, smaller nations over the United States this way: those countries had a tradition or legacy that led their athletes to compete not for themselves but for their countries.

"The need for roots, the need for connection to the past," said Williams. "I thought to myself we have the elements here to revive that legacy."

Those elements include Blackfoot runners like Deerfoot, who carried messages for the RCMP from Fort Macleod to Fort Calgary in a two-day return trip. It includes the runners in the pre-horse days, who helped to herd buffalo over the cliff.

"I thought this was incredible athleticism that young people could turn to and be inspired by," said Williams.

The idea for the Buffalo Runners Society actually took shape last year, when a group of mature Native and non-Native students worked with Williams to recognize National Aboriginal Day with a run that covered the 20 km from Pincher Creek east to the Peigan reserve.

"We wanted to remember the legacy of the Buffalo Runners," explained Williams, "how they had incredible stamina, courage and intelligence."

The creation of the Buffalo Runners Society brings the past to life and this is something Little Wolf appreciates.

"It is important to revive a lot of the past ways of life," he said.

Last year, Williams approached the Elders for permission to use the name Buffalo Runners for the race. This year, that permission went a step further.

"(Williams) came to me as an Elder to talk about the Buffalo Runners Society," said Little Wolf. "I thought it was a good idea."

A pipe ceremony was suggested by the Elders to formalize the agreement.

"That's how they start a society," said Gertrude Smith, translating her father Nick Smith's words. Smith, an Elder, presided over the pipe ceremony. "There's a prayer and blessing to make the society meaningful to the people."

In the ceremony, Smith accepted a pipe from Williams, who requested the use of the name and logo. About 25 people took part in the ceremony, held on the Peigan reserve in mid-May.

The second ceremony will take place June 16 in Pincher Creek, near the site of the run. This ceremony will prepare the runners mentally and physically for the task ahead of them. Smith will be presiding over the ceremony, both pipe and painting. Smith is organizing young men on the reserve in an official song for the formation of the society. Drummers will be there and two Buffalo Runners' stories told.

"The stories will be forever linked to the society," said Williams.

An abbreviated version of the Friday night ceremony will be held Sunday morning, June 18, before the race begins.

"With the Buffalo Runners Society we will have a structure. The Elders will direct the society and the society will adopt non-Native organizers and participants," said Williams. "We can share in the pride."

Sharing in the pride is evidenced in the logo-a buffalo with four runners, representing the four directions and the four races of people.

"It's important for the youth to keep in touch with their past traditions," said Gertrude Smith for her father. "It's important for them to be familiar with some of the rituals.It's good for it to be brought up."

The creation of the Buffalo Runners Society and the race has been met with much enthusiasm, including calls from the Blackfoot Confederacy across the border.

"I'm worried we could be overwhelmed," said Williams.

While there were about 20 participants last year, Williams anticipates anywhere from 60 to 100 this time around.

There are categories for solo runners, both male and female; walkers; and co-ed relay teams of four who will run five km each. The race has been restricted to those age15 and over.

"That was at the request of the Elders," said Williams. "They wanted to keep the focus on the seriousness of the matter. In their wisdom, they knew we needed to proceed in stages."