Creator Wayne Goodwill has presented a traditional Buffalo Winter Count Robe to the University of Regina
A special ceremony was held today to celebrate the presentation of a traditional Buffalo Winter Count Robe to the University of Regina.
The robe was painted by knowledge keeper Wayne Goodwill from Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation, and tells the story of the Indigenous experience from precolonial days to the present. It will be used as a teaching tool to support the University and surrounding community on the path of truth and reconciliation.
“This Buffalo Winter Count Robe symbolizes what happened in the past 200 years to the First Nations people on the plains,” said Goodwill, one of the last known robe painters in the province.
“The University is truly honoured to welcome through ceremony this Buffalo Winter Count Robe,” said President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Jeff Keshen. “These painted robes have traditionally been used to record historic events and keep alive stories of long ago. In that spirit, this robe will play an integral role in the University’s efforts to address the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.”
The commitment to truth and reconciliation is one of five areas of focus identified in the University‘s 2020-2025 Strategic Plan, All Our Relations: kahkiyaw kiwâhkômâkaninawak. The plan states reconciliation will occur through teaching, research, learning, and service efforts across our campuses, and throughout the province.
“The stories embedded in this robe help expose the truth of Canada’s colonial past and the impact on the original inhabitants of this land,” said Lori Campbell, Associate Vice-President (Indigenous Engagement). “These stories are also a celebration of the remarkable strength and perseverance of those who have gone before us, those who are walking with us, and those who will come after us.”
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About the University of Regina
Set in the heart of the Canadian prairies we are a comprehensive, mid-sized university where the opportunities are as limitless as the horizon. Our campuses are on Treaty 4 and 6 - the territories of the nêhiyawak, Anihšināpēk, Dakota, Lakota, and Nakoda peoples, and the homeland of the Michif/Métis nation. It is our responsibility to strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities to build a more inclusive future for all. Our three federated colleges, 10 faculties, 25 academic departments, and 18 research centres foster innovative research with practical and theoretical applications. We are committed to cultivating the potential of our 16,700 students and supporting their health and well-being. We take learning beyond the classroom through work and volunteer experiences to develop career-ready graduates.
Let’s go far, together.