NORTH WEST COLLEGE
NWC Introduces Buffalo Mascot

North West College is charging forward with a wave of school spirit, unveiling its new mascot - Brownie the Buffalo! Get ready for excitement as this mascot brings energy, pride, and a community spirit.

Our Buffalo is more than just a mascot - it's a powerful symbol of strength and resilience for our communities and an iconic representation of the region for international students relocating here for their education.

The Buffalo is also an important symbol for our local First Nations communities, with the animal having provided much of what was needed to sustain traditional ways of life for indigenous people throughout the region. This is more than just a mascot - it reflects the College's ongoing commitment to integrating Indigenous culture and symbolism into campus life and visual identity, guided by our Indigenization Charter.

"The conceptualization of Blair Stonechild that "Education is the New Buffalo" is a key element for the implementation of the College's indigenization charter and our intention to offer more connection points throughout college life to our indigenous students and communities" said North West College President and CEO Dr. Eli Ahlquist. "We hope that our ongoing efforts toward reconciliation will help current and future students see themselves as a key part of the college community, reduce barriers to entry, and in turn increase their access to education. This effort is ongoing and will likely yield more visible changes within the college in both the near and long term."

Introducing the mascot serves to increase the college's visibility at community events throughout the year, giving North West College another touchpoint for visual collaboration between the college and community.

The mascot will also serve to boost campus community spirit, providing unique opportunities to enhance student engagement events at the college. As North West College expands its programming and extracurricular offerings, and eventually moves to the a new campus building, the mascot will be attending new competitive team activities.

"Offering our students another point of shared connection with the college is an important piece of community building" said North West College Vice-President, Marketing and Student Experience Dr. Priscilla Lothian. "Brownie the Buffalo will also make public appearances on behalf of the College demonstrating our involvement and commitment to the Battlefords and Meadow Lake and area communities."

Curious members of the community can catch the first public appearance of NWC's mascot at the Battlefords North Stars game against the Estevan Bruins on March 1st at Access Communications Centre in North Battleford.