Dreams Become Reality

Dreams are a powerful tool of renewal. In Buffalo Wild! by Deidre Havrelock and Azby Whitecalf, Declan dreams of buffalo running wild across the plains like they did for his ancestors.

Kokum tells Declan stories of long ago when the Buffalo roamed the plains. They don’t anymore, now they are relegated to the sky world. One night, Declan dreams he releases the Buffalo from the sky world and they go completely wild in Kokum’s backyard! Calling on Creator to help him, most of the Buffalo head back to the sky but some remain.

Buffalo Wild! reflects the Buffalo Treaty of 2014, an agreement between nations to protect the Buffalo and bring them back from the brink of extinction. Declan’s dream fills the world with Buffalo, an important creature in the lives of First Nations, especially Plains First Nations communities. It's a story for all people to recognize the importance of keystone animals in our ecosystems and the need to protect them plus it's a really fun, whimsical story. Joy exudes from Declan and Kokum when the Buffalo returns to the land, even though they are a bit wild.

Azby Whitecalf’s illustrations jump right out at readers. The beautiful blue and raspberry tones create the dreamy quality to the story and add to the joyful feelings of the characters and the readers.

Buffalo Wild! also contains information from author Deidre Havrelock about her relationship to the Buffalo and she includes the complete wording of The Buffalo Treaty. Children don’t often get to read the exact wordings of treaties that bind communities. The Buffalo Treaty is the first I have read in its entirety. By including the words, Deidre Havrelock extends the reader's learning and relationship to the land.