What Crafting Buffalo Pouches Taught Us About Land & Learning
On August 25th 2026, the Land Acknowledgement Educators Network gathered at Fort Edmonton Park’s Indigenous Peoples Experience Centre for an inspiring day of hands-on learning and connection led by Elder and Knowledge Keeper Ekti. Guided through a space rich with story, participants learned about Indigenous art and history while crafting their own beaded buffalo pouches alongside Ekti and her sister. The reflective gathering served as a powerful reminder that connecting to the land can take many meaningful forms beyond simply standing outside, sparking vital conversations on how educators can create similar immersive, hands-on opportunities for their students.
Participant Lyndon’s reflection:
I really enjoyed learning from our Elder and Knowledge Keeper. Having her guide us through the Indigenous Peoples Experience Centre at Fort Edmonton Park was incredible, especially since she was so hands-on in creating the experience and showing us the space.
The buffalo pound stories were wonderful, and creating a pouch with [Ekti’s] sister guiding me was so relaxing. Hearing her share her story while we beaded was a great opportunity for learners who need to be doing things with their hands while learning about her art and background.
Project Lead Hanan’s reflection:
We were honoured to be led by Ekti at the Indigenous Peoples Experience, and it was such a fascinating and humbling experience. We had the opportunity to interact hands-on with handmade pieces, hear stories and teachings, and explore a space that had so much heart, thought, wisdom, and soul put into it. We then spent time making buffalo pouches while learning about their importance and the stories connected to them.
Having the opportunity to work with our hands reminded me that connecting to land doesn’t always mean being outside or standing on the grass — there are many ways we can build and deepen our relationship with land, wherever we are. It left me thinking about how valuable these experiences can be for our students, and how we can create more opportunities for educators and students to learn, reflect, and connect in these different ways.
Looking for resources designed to support educators in bringing land-based, culturally responsive teaching into classrooms? Check out Living In Relationship, our bibliography packed with tools recommended by Indigenous land educators!