(Kris Buffalo in action. Photo courtesy of Kirk Buffalo)
Brandi Morin
APTN National News
Rodeo is a lifestyle that’s been in the blood of the Buffalo family for decades.
Kirk Buffalo, Samson Cree Nation band councillor and former rodeo cowboy, is the head of the Buffalo Family Ranch rodeo series in Maskwacis. He’s also the father of an up and coming professional bullfighting cowboy star Kris Buffalo.
The younger Buffalo started off following in the footsteps of the family rodeo legacy at a young age, said his father.
“My first cousin always reminds me that my father (Howard Buffalo) had a natural connection to the four-legged through ceremony and sweats,” said Kirk Buffalo. “That passed to Kristopher. Especially in his line of work (as a bullfighter), he’s out there to have fun and to play with the animal so nothing bad happens.”
It’s a tough sport not catered to the faint of heart, but the elder Buffalo knows all too well the dangers that come with the sport of riding rank bulls. To see his son succeed has him beaming with pride.
“Kris followed his dream. I’m very proud. It’s just a little tense when you see him in the arena. I look back and see how I rode those bulls and now my son has chosen a field to protect the cowboy and it’s also very dangerous, but it’s what he wants to do,” he said.
Although there are big shoes to fill in a family full of former rodeo cowboy stars, Kris Buffalo said he’s proud to carry on the legacy of rodeo.
“I’m blessed to have it and to grow up with it, now it’s become a lifestyle,” said the younger Buffalo, who is a husband and father of two young children.
He’s well aware of the risks it presents and even more so with the new freestyle form of bullfighting, but for him it’s a risk worth taking.
“I’m pretty much offering myself to the bull for 60 seconds and it’s up to my athletic ability and quick wit to try and out maneuver him and trick him out. The risk factor is a lot higher. It’s scarier…You kind of have to own the moment or situation and be comfortable with yourself for sure,” he said.
Buffalo said he first got addicted to thrill seeking playing hockey growing up and likens bullfighting to extreme sports like BMX or skateboarding. At the end of the day, it’s the sense of accomplishment that keeps him going.
His Bullfighters Only Canada win in February surprised him and now he is working to live up to the title.
“It was the first event of its kind in Canada. It’s a big title to hold, so there’s a lot of guys that want to be in my position now,” he said.
His ultimate goal is to make the Indian National Finals Rodeo in Vegas, hopefully this year.
Buffalo is scheduled to bullfight this coming weekend at the Buffalo Ranch Rodeo 2016—Celebration of Carolyn “Snagger” Buffalo. Carolyn is Kirk Buffalo’s sister who competed as a barrel racer and a ladies break-away roping competitor. She died last year.
The rodeo is all about community coming together and having fun, said Buffalo.
“I’m the guy who put on a chicken-suit at the Samson Cree celebration and I danced and put on my outfit and I made people laugh. That’s the missing link we have in every Aboriginal community, we’ve forgotten how to laugh,” said the elder Buffalo.
At one time Maskwacis was known as the Indian rodeo capital of Canada. Buffalo would like to see that reputation return. One of the ways he’s working to develop the cowboy lifestyle in the community is by holding cultural camps for youth at the ranch.
“There’s not enough bareback riders, bronc riders, bull riders and that’s one of the reasons why we built these rodeo grounds here,” he said. “We need to redirect our youth.”
The rodeo kicks off with a Bullarama where Kris Buffalo will be participating along with the top 20 Indian bull riders from Montana, Saskatchewan and northern Alberta.
“These rodeo grounds were built on blood, sweat and tears and a lot of volunteers. So much help. That’s what we need to do is get the community involved. The anticipation of a rodeo is well known around these parts. Build it and they will come,” said Buffalo.
@songstress28
