by By Dan Ninham
Zaaga’Igan Buffalo is representing his people in every step he is taking. His people are not only the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. His people also include the Duluth East HS Greyhounds boys’ basketball team.
Zaaga’Igan is a grass dancer and was the Brave for the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa three years in a row between 2013 and 2015. He traveled as far as the Denver (CO) March Powwow to represent his tribe and his loon clan.
Zaaga’Igan is also a direct descendant of Chief Buffalo, who was recognized as a leader of Ojibwe that had a treaty relationship with the US Government and signed treaties in 1825, 1826, 1837, 1842, 1847, and 1854. Chief Buffalo resisted efforts to remove the Ojibwe to western areas and secured permanent Ojibwe reservations in the lower Lake Superior region in Wisconsin.
“My spirit name is Ozaawaainini and means ‘He who sees beauty in things’,” said Zaa, his shortened name that he is called. “I am 17 years old and I live in Duluth, MN with my parents Kurt and Angela Buffalo. I have two sisters and one brother.”
Zaa is the 6-5, senior point guard for the Duluth East High School Greyhounds basketball team.
“I began as an athlete at a young age through the Rookie Basketball Association,” said Zaa. “I went on to Duluth Area Youth Basketball Association, East Travel Basketball and AAU Teams: Team Sizzle, Northern Lakers and Playmakers North.”
“We loved having Zaa in our Playmakers North program last summer,” said AAU Coach Phil Roe. “He is a great young man and leader with some special gifts. His passing, defense, and knack for inside scoring are fantastic. Really looking forward to seeing what he does in the future.”
“One of my main athletic accomplishments was last year I helped lead Duluth East Boys Basketball to a 26-4 record and took second place in the Section final versus Cambridge HS,” added Zaa.
Zaa has another main athletic accomplishment that recently happened. The Duluth East HS Greyhounds defeated Coon Rapids 74-60 on March 25th to win the Minnesota Class AAAA Section 7 boys basketball championship. They are preparing to play in the State Tournament next week.
“My tribal core values as an Anishinaabe Oshki-inini (Ojibwe young man) and athlete are knowing my clan and holding the knowledge of our ancestors in the way I carry myself on and off the court,” said Zaa. “My focus and determination continues to keep me moving despite any challenges that I may run into.”
“We are often told how much people love watching Zaa play and he is so selfless,” said mom Angela also speaking for dad Kurt. “Zaa has been approached by one of the coaches and is in the process of attending a college campus visit to Central Lakes College.”
“Coach Rhett McDonald has a positive influence on me,” said Zaa. “He has helped me both on and off the court.”
“Zaa has been in our basketball program since his seventh grade year,” said Rhett McDonald, head boys’ basketball coach at Duluth East HS.
“Unlike most of the basketball players on our team, I actually taught Zaa in my eighth grade Global Studies class. It was within that specific class that we connected at a much deeper level than most students and teachers do.”
“What I love about Zaa is his curiosity,” said Rhett. “His understanding of ‘culture’ and his constant want to learn about others always impressed me most about him. He legitimately wants to know about peoples’ lives, their hobbies, their music, their family’s traditions, etc, etc, etc. He wants to get to know individuals’ and their way of life and he has a way of immediately caring about people.”
“I always knew the kid had some serious skill,” said Rhett. “I saw that at a young age. But what makes him so special as a basketball player is the same thing that impressed me as his teacher: He knows you and he cares about you.”
“I haven’t met a single person that doesn’t like this kid. There will come a day soon that I will miss coaching this kid on a day-to-day basis,” added Rhett.
“First of all he is one of the kindest, most thoughtful kids I have coached,” said Damien Paulson, assistant varsity boys’ basketball coach at Duluth East HS. “He truly cares about his teammates and his team.”
“His basketball IQ is one of his strengths without a doubt. Zaa makes the right play most of the time because he sees the whole floor so well and loves to pass,” added Damien.
“I also love the fact the Zaa loves music,” said Damien. “All different kinds from rap to country he loves music. Zaa makes me proud the way he plays the game. It truly has been a joy to get to coach him over the several years. But I would say what makes me happy the most us knowing that he is going to go out in the world and do great things.”
Damien is the father to Duluth East HS senior basketball player Noah, another star player who happens to be Ojibwe. Noah is a finalist for the Mr. Basketball honor for the state of Minnesota. He is the first Ojibwe boys’ player to be a finalist since 1996 when Randy Holthusen of the Red Lake HS Warriors was in the top three.
Noah Paulson was featured in a story last March of 2020: http://www.ndnsports.com/noah-paulson-ojibwe-leading-duluth-east-greyhounds-basketball-into-the-mn-class-aaaa-section-7-championship/
“I look up to my older brother Niikan Buffalo,” said Zaa. “He has been a tremendous mentor to me and really taught me a lot of valuable things when it comes to on the court and more importantly, off the court.”
Beth McClimek, Zaa’s Civics, US History, and International Studies teacher at Duluth East HS talked about her student: “You realize how special Zaa is from the moment you meet him. He is someone who absolutely lights up the room with his smile and positive energy, yet he has this intense drive about him. He is so fun loving and easy going, that you can forget what a phenomenal competitor he actually is.”
“Zaa loves the game of basketball, and that is deeply ingrained into who he is as a person. It is so exciting to watch him on the court, because he is so in his element with the opportunity to show off his talent and passion for the game. He is a student athlete who his peers respect. We are lucky to have a student like Zaa here at East High School,” added Beth.
“I first met Zaa at Lincoln Park Middle School,” said Marlon Grant, Integration Specialist. “I knew he was a special young man the first time I interacted with him. He was very respectful and mature for his age. We built a great bond during his time here at Lincoln Park MS. He would reach out to me if he had any struggles or issues that he needed addressed. I would check on him daily during school to make sure that he was doing well.”
“Zaa is well respected by his peers on and off the basketball court,” said Marlon. “During his time at Lincoln Park Mon the court he was a natural leader. We would talk about things that happened in the game. He had a natural gift to see what was going on in the game and what needed to be done. Zaa has the ability to lead, and he is a point guard who wants to help his teammates. He has the knowledge to be a heck of a player.”
“Off the court like many students he has had his ups and downs but he has shown the ability to grow from his struggles. I had the opportunity to meet his family on a few occasions at Lincoln Park MS so I know he comes from a solid foundation. Zaa has always had a positive attitude and personality even when things are not going well,” added Marlon.
“We have talked about some of his academic struggles as well as his approach to becoming a better basketball player,” said Marlon. “I love that he has always been willing to accept my feedback whether he liked it or not. He would always come back to me later and say I was able to figure things out. He would take the feedback and use it to better himself. He has always been a special young man since the day I met him.”
“I prepare by making sure that I watch who I’m hanging out with,” said Zaa. “I only hang out with my teammates, so I do not get sick. Another way I prepare myself is by making sure I’m bringing energy to practice but more so in the games because there is less fans to bring the juice, and you have to create that energy for the team.”
“Before away games I like to smudge myself with sage for good luck on the game and with the travels,” said Zaa.
Zaaga’Igan Buffalo is leading his fellow Greyhound basketball leaders to the gichi-niimi’idiwin, the big dance. The powwow circuit will be later. The Minnesota State Class AAA State Basketball Tournament is coming quick. This is another step for Zaa to continue on his journey.
Photo credits: Tim Kolehmainen/Breakdown Sports Media
His gramma is Leech Laker Pat Garbow Long. Inger is her home town. ❤️
Zaa is a great young man with a lot of talent, Niikan as well! I’ve know both since they were babies and I couldn’t be more proud of them!! Good work Kurt & Angela!