COTE FIRST NATION - On Monday, December 13, Ron Steckly, a rancher from Carstairs, Alta. unloaded his trailer consisting of 24 bison to the homeland of the Cote First Nation. What has been coined as a ‘starter herd’ was delivered to the nation via a partnership between a Christian organization called Tearfund Canada and an Indigenous Christian youth ministry known as Loko Koa.
The first starter herd was released to the care of the Peepeekisis First Nation in December 2014. After five years, the herd had grown to 45. In 2020, Peepeekisis and Loko Koa gave 22 buffalo to the Zagime First Nation so the community could start their own herd. Similarly, there is an expectation that the Cote First Nation and Loko Koa will gift a new herd to another First Nation after three to five years.
Tearfund Canada describes their work as ‘church-based community transformation’ (CCT), referring to it as a “unique model of development that works through local churches to restore the broken relationships at the root of poverty.”
On the organization’s website, Tearfund Canada made the following statement regarding the project:
“As Christians, we recognize the need for reconciliation and the building of long-term friendship. Tearfund’s “Bring back the Buffalo Project” is a new project that is part of a multi-generational reconciliation process. Its roots are based in a project that started eight years ago.
Partnering with a small Indigenous ministry of Youth With a Mission (YWAM), called Loko Koa, our aim is to facilitate the return of the buffalo back to their traditional lands of the Cote First Nation.”
Buffalo used to roam free in Canada and were a coveted symbol of life in the prairies and to First Nations culture. Two hundred years ago, nearly 70 million buffalo roamed North America. As the lands were colonized, the massive herds of buffalo were decimated to near extinction. American and Canadian governments believed that by wiping out the buffalo and taking them away as a food source, the First Nations could also be wiped out.
Tearfund Canada stated that the goal of the “Bring Back the Buffalo” project will be to build sustainable buffalo herds that will help restore cultural identity and provide food for their own people. Beyond that, they hope it will represent the start of building long-term relationships. The organization also shared that over the past eight years one of the by-products of this has been a high acceptance of Jesus followers on the local reserves.
Pastor Bill Desnomie – First Nation Pastor of LOV Ministries and former Peepeekisis First Nation Band Council member said the following about the program:
“Because of many past hurts, Christians have been disrespected on reserves, making it very difficult for us to live out and share faith, and there has been harshness against us. You could call this anti-Christian hatred. But things have changed. Seven years ago, a herd of 22 buffalo have become a symbol of reconciliation for our people. We have a sense of pride. The buffalo are back on our land. It has given our people, both young and old a sense of pride. It has helped us lift our heads up. We are appreciated. As a Christian, they are a symbol of the majestic splendor of God’s creation.”
In a social media message that was addressed to Cote First Nation members, Chief George Cote shared the following sentiments:
“Attention: Cote First Nation: Monday, December 13, 2021 at 12 noon, the buffalo will be returning to the homeland – a historic moment for our nation. They will be released in a pasture of 90 acres across the river. We thank the Creator for these blessings.”
With a total project cost of $180,000, Tearfund Canada said the organization is currently looking for help from Canadian individuals, groups, and churches. So far, 900 acres of land and $40,000 has been contributed by the Cote First Nation. Those interested in donating can visit the organization’s website at www.tearfund.ca
