Keep the spirit strong

Page 5

Kirk Buffalo believes that success begins at home with a firm set of values, a healthy respect for others and a well-developed sense of humor. He believes the home is where it all begins for the family, and, by extension, for the community at large.

Everyone is taught values as children. We need to be reminded of these values when we become adults, said the 46-year-old youth justice circle co-ordinator at Hobbema.

"These values are so powerful, but we in today's society forget [them] and now we all have to be continuously reminded," he said. "The common rule is to treat people the way you want to be treated and respected," he said.

Buffalo puts this attitude to work when dealing with his clients who have found themselves on the wrong side of the law. In 1998, Buffalo worked with the community to develop a new method of dealing with people whose experiences in life had led them astray. The new approach was grounded in the Aboriginal perspective of holistic healing.

"I look at why this person reacted or what this person is angry about or what this child has gone through, because a lot of times it does not take a mad scientist to find that alcohol, drugs, child welfare, lack of identity, lack of a home fire and a lack of language are the main causes [of their problems].

He said the community's new approach to dealing with offenders is a far cry from what used to happen when people broke the law.

"I believe that jail makes the offenders better criminals, because they are only used to other criminals and that is what they have in common. They learn from each other to be criminals."

Instead of putting people in jail, the community directs them to a healing process that will restore their cultural identity.

"If alcohol is an issue, then let's treat the alcohol. If it is driving while intoxicated, then let's deal with it through traditional healing methods.

"The community has built a very strong dialogue with the courts and I have seen miracles happen, where a person finds their identity and their cultural needs . . . I've seen people change their lives around when they've changed a habit," he said.

Buffalo believes that all people have the strength to accomplish what they want to accomplish. ". . . but it all comes from within, and from maintaining who you are. The Creator answers prayers, and I say to my clients that good things happen to people who do good things. Nobody is perfect. We all go through our good days and through our bad days . . ."

Buffalo is well-known in the community, as a rodeo announcer and emcee for a variety of activities, but particularly for his portrayal of Aboriginal Santa.

He starts his Napi Claus performances around the middle of November, and after each show he tells the audience that they should get together with their families at Christmas.

"Hopefully, from this gesture they will say 'Well, next year for my mother's birthday I will go back to the family unit and start connecting as a family. The message is to take the time to go back to your roots and to your families, especially during holidays" he said.

Buffalo said that the reason he plays Aboriginal Santa is to bring back the laughter that the Elders teach.

"The greatest resource that you will find in any community is our Elders. They have so much to offer. They have so much to give."

So with a Santa suit on and three of his children at his side playing his helpful elves, Kirk Buffalo performs his unique role in a show that includes a variety of skits.

"We dance into the hall with one of the songs, usually an honor song, where I honor the people. I do my hoop dance with my magic hoops and I get people to do a large round dance and then I shake everyone's hand and then dance out. I guess when I put on the outfit it allows me to be a child again. It allows me to do what I would've done when I used to drink alcohol, where I did not give a damn about what I did. Back then I used to wake up, wondering and worrying bout what I did the night before. This way I'm doing this while I'm sober, making people laugh. It is nice to know that you can bring laughter to people instead of hurt. It is fun, and I totally enjoy it. It is good to see the kids smile," he said.

Buffalo has some helpful suggestions about raising children.

"Each morning, I tell them to have a nice day and that sets the tone for them for the rest of the day. When I was growing up I was yelled at a lot. 'Get up you lazy thing and go to school.' I do not condemn my parents for that, but today as a parent it is my role to wake them up, to cook for them and to give them a hug. You set the kind of day your kids are going to have. If you get them up and get them upset, they will get on the bus upset and then get to school still upset and something snaps so they get kicked out of school, or whatever. That is why setting the tone for the day in the right way for your kids is great. It does not matter how you feel when you get up in the morning. You have a choice. You are responsible for teaching your children these values," he said.

Buffalo also has some suggestions on how to switch a destructive attitude into a constructive attitude.

"One of the biggest words I used to use was 'if only,' but since I've worked with the Elders now I use 'I choose.' I choose to be happy or I could choose to make everybody's life miserable. I can choose to continue my schooling or I can choose to live on welfare. See how big that word is? You have a choice if you want to be happy, and it is up to you."