New buffalo art rock formation celebrates Indigenous history

A public art rock formation of a buffalo, which was recently unveiled near Regina Beach, honours Indigenous history and community.

A rock effigy depicting a buffalo has been positioned on a hill on Highway 54 near Regina Beach. Outlined with rocks painted white, the buffalo can be seen by people going toward the Qu’Appelle Valley. Carol Rose GoldenEagle is the artist who led the project and said the effigy is a land acknowledgment and more.

“This is telling visitors when they drive into this community that Indigenous people have always been here,” she explained. The hill the art installation rests is on land protected by Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). The effigy is made up of approximately 500 rocks, repurposed from a stone wall sitting on the property.

GoldenEagle was not alone when building the effigy, receiving help from the Grade 7/8 class from South Shore School. The rock formation is intended to last for many years and GoldenEagle said she hopes the children who helped build the project always remember the experience. The NCC say this project is a great starting point for similar projects in the future.

“We at NCC are really trying to improve our relationship with Indigenous culture and First Nations groups,” said Marla Anderson, the stewardship coordinator at NCC. “We are very excited to make those connections and friendships and open the door for more First Nations groups as well,” she added. The land was originally owned by the Colvin family, who donated the property to NCC around 2013.

Since then, the land has been looked after and is occasionally used by schools for educational purposes. Anderson was present during the effigy creation and said it was a memorable day. “It was a great day to connect with a lot of different groups that we normally wouldn’t had at the NCC.

It’s great to broaden our connections,” she said. GoldenEagle said it was a big task planning and coordinating to get the effigy on the hillside. This is her first public art installation.

“It’s totally visible from the highway. I think it’s a happy thing to see when you drive in, and are reminded of the beauty of the past,” said GoldenEagle. The NCC said the lands they protect are open to the public, and access is available online for those who would like to visit.

GoldenEagle said she received funding from the Saskatchewan Arts Board to support the initiative. The project was done in celebration of National Indigenous History Month.