The Plan is a forward-looking document that sets out what Standing Buffalo wants the future to be like, and outlines how to get there.
The Plan has three Chapters:
1 - Vision
2 - Action
3 - Context
The first two Chapters were developed and supported by a shared understanding of the local context, including the past and present, that inspires and motivates action.
This page highlights some of the most important elements of the Community Plan. For more details, refer to your copy of the Plan or contact the band office (306-332-4685).
Community Values
The Plan includes a set of community values that describe what is fundamentally important to the members. These values are:
We value our people’s strength to make change and reach our community’s dreams. We value open-mindedness and being accepting of others.
Elders, teachers, leaders and our neighbours are our role models; they inspire us and help us become our best. We value all types of learning.
We value our youth. It is our responsibility to make sure we are all active and engaged members of the community so that the youth have role models that encourage, support and show them positive examples.
We value our families and the support, guidance and strength they give us.
We value the respect and trust we show each other, and we know this builds a strong community. We are committed to sharing, fairness and equality because this will bring people together.
We are proud of our Dakota identity, language and history. We learn from our Elders who we are and where we come from and pass this on to future generations.
We respect Mother Earth and our relationship with the land because it provides our food, medicines and wellbeing. We must take pride in protecting it.
We value a healthy and safe community.
Vision Statement
The Vision is a bold statement of the community's ambitions and aspirations, defining where the community wants to go. It is the long-term and lasting direction for the community that inspires new project ideas, policies and ongoing action.
Standing Buffalo's pride in our Dakota culture will inspire us to become an engaged and united community, through support, empowerment and cooperation.
Woitanyan Tatanka Najin Dakota wiconi woniyan unkupi heun owajinnaya unkicagapi kta, etanhan woptan yuza wowasake ka witaya ounkiciyapi.
Approach to Community-Based Change
The approach to community-based change recognizes that planning is ongoing and affects every aspect of the community. Planning is not another project, but a way of aligning, developing and focusing all projects. The Plan is a tool that guides and orchestrates change that is:
- Community-based
- Project-driven
- Locally-focused
Community Structure Map + Future Development Map
The Structure Map identifies and established basic community infrastructure as a fixed commitment around which projects and programs will be organized. The Future Development Map illustrates how physical development may happen around that structure.
Action Areas + Demonstration Projects
Action Areas make the Vision more specific and tangible, describing boldly and simply where the community needs to focus energy and attention to realize its Vision. Each Action Area includes projects that demonstrate how local priorities can be addressed to get the most local benefit our of every initiative.
Standing Buffalo's Plan has four Action Areas:
- Building Community (demonstration project: Community Hall)
- Education & Employment (demonstration project: Community Garden)
- Land & Community Infrastructure (demonstration project: Cemetery Entrance & Beautification)
- Youth, Fun & Recreation (demonstration project: Re-imagining the Youth Centre)
Change happens one project at a time. Therefore, regardless of the Action Area, each project needs to connect, reinforce and advance as many of the other Action Areas as possible. It requires thought, persistence and leadership to do the most with the least. This approach requires participation, invention and the determination to resist importing simple "off the shelf" solutions which can limit local benefit.
Every person will be part of this new direction, and every action taken will be part of the change the community envisioned together. Every person in this community plays a role in shaping the future and moving the community toward its dreams. Every step taken, big or small, will guide Standing Buffalo toward its Vision of an engaged and united community.
