"Chief Buffalo Memorial"
Volunteering in the community
Who
The Chief Buffalo Memorial murals were designed and painted collaboratively by a team of artists led by Moira Villiard (Ojibwe and Lenape direct descendent), including Michelle Defoe (Red Cliff Band of Ojibwe), Awanigiizhik Bruce (Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe), Sylvia Houle (Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe), with assistance from over 500 community members and artists, including extra help and design work from Waylon Lanham, Mana Bear Bolton, and Conor Fairbanks. The walls feature both historical and contemporary depictions of Indigenous people connected to our region, maps of both treaty territories and Chief Buffalo’s famous journey, Ojibwe stories and folklore, and traditional florals designed by Michelle Defoe. This project was honored in a ceremony in 2019 and continues to serve as a space for reflection and gathering for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members.
Where
This mural is located in the busy tourist area of Giichi Ode' Aakiing park down by Canal Park in Duluth, MN.
Lower left to Lower right (center) Michelle DeFoe, Sylvia Houle, Moira Villard, Conor Fairbanks, MANA Bear Bolton, Awanigiizhik Bruce
MANA Bear volunteered to help with the tremendous task of painting the half walls and ramps of the park. During the installation, the ramps remained open to the public and drew people of all types including locals and tourists over the weeks of installation. MANA was tasked with creating both maps, depicting the treaties and reservation locations in the Great Lakes and beyond area, as well as the path the Chief Buffalo traveled to save his land and his people. You can learn more on the Chief Buffalo Memorial mural page linked below.
