Samuel Buffalo 1

Abstract

From the provided Abstract: "He gives a description of the difficulties encountered on reserves and the efforts made to combat them." -------------- Samuel Buffalo shares about the Dakota's motivations to request reserves, the experiences of the Dakota on reserves, and the shortcomings of the Federal Government. Buffalo summarizes his interview, "The Dakota reserve area being used as a foundation of the Dakota elders’ predictions. It consists of two stages. first one was referred to as, "In the past, the Dakota people lived well." Why do these elders say they lived well in the past when we observed them with many hardships? That is true, but internal corruption did not dwell with them. The Dakota movement into the reserve was in one body of families. The first motto, "We live and we work together," clearly states another evidence. We live, meaning the reserve be used as a survival purpose. How they are going to use it is shown by "w work together." One other point that can be made is the reserve visualized as a Tioti as far as they are concerned, because their spoken words, Tioti Unyanpi, illustrates that. So the first settlers of the Dakota reserve know who they and, what they are going to do, and how they are going to do it. -------------- The second stage has been noted as, "Today we live disorderly." Originally this had been developed by interferences. Official permits must accompany their plan or work. This limits and controls their action for accomplishment. Desire for freedom to work in Odakod, meaning Dakota belief, identity, skill, and attitude, was incomplete by confusion. In support, the constant dual issue of money and alcoholism maintained the Dakota people on the road of confusion aiming for the elders' predicted future. Meanwhile, Under the Big To attraction existed as a puzzle picture of Odakod, which drew some attention with the desire to put the picture together. While others go on as, "we dance and we will compete with one another," these last two interests barely promoting the Big Top for a secured popularity. But Owiyanhantukesni, meaning unpopularity, strengthening will build the freeway to our Dakota elders' prediction. In the future the Dakota people will live insecurely." Pg 6.

Publication Information

Buffalo, Samuel. Interviewer unknown. Transcript. August 30, 1977. IH-115, Transcript disc 12. oURspace. https://ourspace.uregina.ca/handle/10294/2293

Author
Buffalo, Samuel
Publication Date
1977
Primary Resource
Primary
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