The Buffalo Society

Members of this society must have scientific knowledge of the behavior of the Buffalo, they would have to know the migratory routes of the herd, the calving of the cows, the Ceremonies, songs, celebrations and other information that would help the Band succeed in the hunting of the Buffalo.
The Buffalo provided a livelihood for the Plains People, as a source for Food, Shelter, and clothing, as well as numerous other uses.
The Buffalo Society membership required the Knowledge of Ceremonial procedures that had to be done exactly as they had been practised since time immemorial, so that the Buffalo Spirit would be appeased and not be angry and stop providing.
Children were identified for mentorship for the Buffalo Society by Elders in the Band, the child or children (often a boy and a girl) would than be taught by members of the society. As a survival tactic, two students would be chosen every year for study just in case one student could not complete training.
The members of the Buffalo Society managed the Buffalo Hunt according to traditional laws as governed by the Creator, the time for the hunt was scheduled around the migrations of the Buffalo, usually during the fall. Band members knew their role in the hunt and obeyed direction of the society. To disobey laws could endanger the whole band and the hunt could be disastrous, there were of course Tribal Police that would ensure that all band members followed rules.
The Buffalo Society have a very important role in the band, this position required yearly ceremonies and yearly sacrifices have to be made. The survival of the Band was dependant on the expertise of the Buffalo Society, the transfer of knowledge to a prospective member was a lifelong learning process.
The Buffalo Society members would have headdresses made from Weasel tails and Buffalo Horns, the hat was worn on special occasions, to own a headdress is equivalent in today's standards to a Doctorate Degree. The Band allowed only one or two people from the band to make the Headdresses - if a person made a headdress without protocol chances are they would be severely punished or in severe instances would be banished from the band.

Urban survival for First Nations Children

There are many First Nations people migrating to the urban centres such as Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert, for many reasons they are leaving the reservation life, but the main reason is that the First Nation People are outgrowing their reserves. The reserves offer very little for the growing population. My parents; William Starchief and Mary Jane Spyglass are now 70 years old and are still healthy, they tell of the times when the reserve (Mosquito First Nations) had a total population of 98 people, today there are 1278 people and is rapidly growing. The Housing sortage is evident as they are about 10 - 15 people living in a two bedroom house, often the house is a cheap house and is run down in its first few years. People would say that First Nations People do not know how to take care of thier houses, but when your house is made out of cardboard and is overcrowded, and welfare only gives you $98.00 every two weeks than you cant really afford to renovate broken things. There are no jobs and even if you had one than you have to pay all your bills ( when you live in a substandard house- heating costs will go up, about $400.00 a month in the winter, plus the Band office will charge the rent for the house, plus all the other costs - to tell you the truth, it is more expensive to live and work on the reserve than it is to live and work in the city, it is better to be on welfare on reserve.)
The Government on the other hand is getting richer and will probably take our reserve lands away in the end.