Victor Buffalo, Cree, 1935-
He is the Chief of the Samson Cree Nation, a position
he has held for five terms, and is a recognized leader in the
field of business capital and Aboriginal financial institutional
development. He was instrumental in founding Peace Hills Trust
Company, Canada’s first and largest Aboriginally-owned national
financial institution; it has now been in operation for more than
26 years. With a strong focus on business and economic development,
Chief Buffalo has led the development of sustainable ventures
for the Samson Cree Nation, including Peace Hills Trust, Peace
Hills General Insurance, Samson Lake Louise Mall, and a number
of on-reserve commercial enterprises. Chief Buffalo is Chairman
of Akuna Drilling Trust, and sits on a number of Boards of Directors,
including Western Lakota Energy Services, a publicly traded oil
and gas drilling contractor, and the national Aboriginal Diabetes
Association. He is a trustee of the Samson Education Trust Fund.
Chief Buffalo holds a diploma in Chemical Technology from the
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, and continued post-secondary
studies at the Maskwachees Cultural College located on the Samson
reserve. In 2005, he was awarded the Alberta Centennial Medal
which recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution
to society. In 2006, he was inducted into the Canadian Council
for Aboriginal Business.
