I-You-We are Buffalo. Buffalo is life and the Buffalo Way embodies the values necessary to sustain all life on Earth—human and more-than-human.

Join the Wildlife Conservation Society and our partners across North America in hearing the voices of bison advocates and gain fluency in the language of the Buffalo Way—relationship, respect, reciprocity, rewilding, rematriation, and reconciliation. And let’s work together to craft a new, collective path to a just, equitable, inclusive, and wild future for all of humanity and the wild beings who share our home planet.

Please read the Buffalo Treaty in full here: https://www.buffalotreaty.com/treaty

Panelists

Leroy Little Bear

Leroy is a Blackfoot researcher, professor emeritus at the University of Lethbridge, founding member of Canada's first Native American Studies Department and recognized leader and advocate for First Nations education, rights, self-governance, language and culture. He is one of the original organizers of the Iinnii Initiative and a visionary leader responsible for advancing the Buffalo Treaty across what is now known as North America.

Julie Larsen Maher

Julie is the sixth person to be appointed staff photographer for the Wildlife Conservation Society since it was founded in 1895. She is also the first woman to hold the position, and the first to do large-scale conservation photography in the field.

Dr. Tasha Hubbard

Tasha is a Cree filmmaker and associate professor in the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta.

Wes Olson

Wes has worked in the field of bison management for more than 35 years, creating a passion for the animal expressed through his research, art, and writing.

Arnell Abold

Arnell is Executive Director of the InterTribal Buffalo Council and has 19 years of dedication, service, and experience in working with Tribes in buffalo restoration efforts on Tribal lands and paving a way for future generations to continue these efforts.

Diandra Bruised Head

Iitoomsaokaa'sii Diandra Bruised Head served as the Blood Tribe Climate Change Coordinator from 2017 to 2020, building awareness and capacity within her Nation to address the impacts of biodiversity loss, food insecurity, public health and safety, and ecogrief. She is an advocate for Iinnii bison rematriation through right relations to establish Tribal sovereignty and address the issues climate change poses on Indigenous peoples.

Dave Carter

Dave has served as executive director of the National Bison Association since 2001 and helped lead the association’s work in cooperation with conservation and tribal leaders to establish bison as the National Mammal of the United States in 2016.

Moderators

Cristina Mormorunni,

Cristina is the Wildlife Conservation Society Director of U.S. Field Conservation. She has worked in conservation for over 25 years from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Before joining WCS, Cristina founded and directed the TERRAMAR consulting group, which designed conservation strategies for foundations, individual donors, and NGOs. At its core, Cristina’s work is about supporting, connecting, and deepening the relationships that link culture, environment, and economy.

Alexa Montefiore

Alexa Montefiore is a Senior Program Manager for the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Rocky Mountain and Mesoamerica and Caribbean regional programs. She leads WCS Rockies communications and civic engagement. Alexa has worked across WCS global programs on protected area management, strategic planning, and partnerships. Prior to WCS, Alexa worked at Ogilvy on a range of initiatives for social good.