Hello. My name is Brown Buffalo, a member of the Sturgeon clan, from Brokenhead Ojibway Nation. The name my parents gave me is Taylor Galvin. I am an award-winning Environmental Studies student (soon to be graduate), land-based educator, water protector/land guardian, and buffalo dancer. I am also a new graduate student, commencing my Masters of Environment & Geography in May looking at the importance of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas in Manitoba. Outside of school, I am the Director for the Brokenhead Wetland Ecological Reserve, graduate rep for The Wildlife Society-MB Chapter, Co-Chair of the Brokenhead LANDs committee, board member of the Conservation Affairs Committee, and board member of the Society of Ecological Restoration-Western Chapter.
As an intergenerational residential school survivor, I bring resiliency and empowerment to all my studies and work, knowing I have had to work tirelessly to reclaim and renew my connection to spirit, land, water, and ceremony my whole life. Today, I am proud of who I am and grateful for the path that Kitchi Manitou has set out for me. When I first began my post-secondary journey, I faced relocation away from my community, loss of identity, and suffering from addictions. I am now over two years sober with the help and never-ending support from family, community, and the wonderful people at the University of Manitoba and the Indigenous Student Centre.