Devin Buffalo ’18 Making an Impact On and Off the Ice After Dartmouth

Indigenous Peoples' Day was celebrated in Canada on Sunday, June 21. In the United States, the holiday is on Monday, Oct. 12.

HANOVER, N.H. – Former Dartmouth men's hockey goalie Devin Buffalo '18 is doing everything he can to use his government degree to best serve his community.

The Wetaskiwin, Alberta, native was one of just a hand full of Indigenous student-athletes across the entirety of the NCAA and the only one playing college hockey in the ranks of ECAC Hockey and the Ivy League during his four years in Hanover as a member of the Big Green.

Buffalo graduated in 2018, played some minor league hockey for several teams afterward, but knew his calling was in helping others. He knew it, because he had already been doing it for years, including spending his summers as a mentor.

Early on in 2020, Buffalo announced that he would be starting his own company that would include motivational speaking and hockey camps. However, the arrival of COVID-19 in North America — and along with it the restrictions of gatherings it brought with it — has shelved the business for the time being.

That hasn't stopped the former Dartmouth netminder from helping out at other's camps and trying to educate today's Indigenous youth about paths to the United States and college athletics.

"Indigenous role models have a role in using their platforms to help the younger generations," Buffalo said. "I have overcome many obstacles in my hockey career. The NCAA was the route I took, and I was very lucky to graduate from a prestigious school like Dartmouth College.

"My goal is to help educate and provide information on the NCAA route. Many Indigenous people do not have enough information on going to school in the states. It is unfortunate that many students shy away from trying," Buffalo continued. "Not only are some afraid to fail, but they are overwhelmed by the process. They do not know where to start, or they have no idea how to take the SATs. My goal is to assist them every step of the way because there is no doubt that Indigenous athletes have the talent, but should not be discouraged because they are unfamiliar with the application process. I aim to knock down these simple barriers, because being Indigenous already has its barriers to navigate. Dreams should not be crushed because of logistics."

In January of this year, Buffalo accepted a position with Indigenous Sports Council of Alberta, the provincial body for Indigenous athletics. The goal of the ISCA is to assist Indigenous people, of all ages, in physical wellness, sports, and recreation. In this role, Buffalo has helped launch the "At Home" Summer Fitness Challenge; a 10-week program directed at those in Alberta to be active during this time of uncertainty. ISCA has also started a Summer Family Challenge meant to get families to work together and compete in fun challenges to strengthen not only their bodies, but their bonds with one another. Edmonton Oiler Ethan Bear has signed on as an ambassador for the former, while Brigette Lacquette of the Canadian Women's National Team is the ambassador of the latter, providing two prominent Indigenous role models for those participating.

"It is extremely exciting to be part of something of this scale, in helping Indigenous people get active," the 2018 Dartmouth graduate said. "We have a Facebook group that I check, and it is special to read the testimonials."

Buffalo will work with the ISCA through the end of 2020, before beginning to apply for law schools in the fall.

He will be remembered by a lot of Dartmouth fans for several remarkable wins, a handful of remarkable saves and his two memorable seasons as a starter between the pipes for the Big Green. But for many others, Devin Buffalo's legacy will be what he does away from the ice and with the rest of his life.

"I will continue to encourage Indigenous athletes and students to dream big and not be afraid," Buffalo said. "Hopefully soon, we will have large numbers of Indigenous athletes leaving Alberta to attend Ivy League schools and play for teams in all sports across America."

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