Order of the Buffalo Hunt awarded to Brandon school staff for response to sword attack

BRANDON — Premier Wab Kinew presented the Order of the Buffalo Hunt to staff at Neelin High School for their bravery, quick response and compassion in relation to a sword attack on a student in June.

“The Order of the Buffalo Hunt reminds us that courage isn’t just about facing danger,” Kinew said in the packed gymnasium on Friday. “It’s about protecting one another — and Neelin showed us all how that’s done.”

The Neelin team’s actions were “an amazing example” of what it means to be a Manitoban, Kinew said during the presentation.

“This is the highest honour we can present to a group of people,” he said. “You did an amazing thing, keeping kids safe and looking after one another. You circled up and protected the young.”

The premier likened the staff’s courage to that of the bison — Manitoba’s symbol of strength and protection — adding the Order of the Buffalo Hunt takes its name from the way buffalo shield their young during times of danger.

“You faced the storm … You greeted it head-on and you did something amazing on a very challenging day.”

The award was received on behalf of staff by Whitney Kreller-Lamont, a math teacher who played a critical role on June 10.

Kreller-Lamont was among the first to rush to the aid of Grade 10 student Chinonso Onuke, 15, whose hands, chest and thigh were severely cut, principal Bas Nundu said.

“She was one of the people who was right there in those first moments, providing first aid and applying pressure to his wounds until emergency crews arrived,” Nundu said. “When we talk about first responders, that’s an example of how our staff responded before anyone else got here.”

Nundu said the honour has a deep meaning for everyone in the school community.

“I think this is going to be a big step in the healing process,” he said. “The fact that the province is recognizing what we went through means so much to everybody.”

Kinew said the recognition is also about the resilience shown in the months that followed the violent incident.

“You showed up for the kids, for each other, and you showed up again this fall,” he told the teachers. “That’s the best of Manitoba right there.”

The premier said he hopes the recognition brings comfort to Neelin and inspires schools across Manitoba to continue prioritizing safety, compassion and preparedness.

Nundu also presented Kinew and his delegation — including Education Minister Tracy Schmidt, Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Glen Simard and Lagimodiere MLA Tyler Blashko — with small gifts from Neelin.

“So everywhere you go, you’ll have a little bit of Neelin with you,” he said.

As applause filled the gymnasium, students and teachers stood to honour one another — a moment that reflected the community’s strength and gratitude.

The award is one of Manitoba’s highest civilian honours.

In July, Kinew presented the Order of the Buffalo Hunt to Brandon Police Service Const. Moshe Linov and other first responders for the bravery they displayed in responding to the attack.

A 16-year-old boy faces three counts of attempted murder.

— Brandon Sun