Catherine Lauritano passed away this past weekend and yet another Buffalover travels on from this plane. Catherine was a staunch supporter of sustainable Yellowstone Herds and Buffalo Field Campaign's work on Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing as well as our commitment to working with Indigenous People. She always donated in her Brother's name: Thomas O’Toole and became a monthly donor, or Buffalo Guardian, while her daughter, Mary, is part of our Buffalo Backbone subscription giving program. By honoring family and engaging monthly, Catherine and Mary embody the practice of 'protecting the herd' that wild free roaming bison teach us. Their dedication and understanding of the complexities of gaining ESA listing, i.e. habitat access, tribal co-stewardship, and a strong field presence, are the wind beneath our wings. Along with Elephants, Catherine's love was the Buffalo.

Together with their generous monthly and stock donations, Catherine and Mary are major donors at BFC! Catherine's most recent gifts to BFC bolstered our abilities to realize our Tribal Buffalo Summit, a vision we have had since Rosalie Little Thunder and Mike Mease founded the campaign so many years ago. Rosalie passed in 2014 and we continue to feel her guidance from beyond. I like to picture Catherine in council or circle with Rosalie guiding us and cheering us on from above.

This summer, Mary came to Buffalo Field Campaign headquarters in the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, where our last migratory Buffalo continue to roam, and got to spend some time in the field with BFC Co-founder, Mike Mease. Mary brought the spirit of her mother, Catherine, with her...knowing this was a trip for the both of them.

Mike shares his reflections of their time together here:

In July of this year I had the honor of meeting Mary and gave her a tour of the ecosystem we live in and all the migration routes the Buffalo use in it. Sometimes in life you meet people that just become family in no time. This was the case with Mary and, through her, her mother Catherine. Our visions were entwined with the goal of freeing the Buffalo from the confines of Yellowstone Park and bringing them back to their homeland, the continent North America. Also recognizing the sacred relationships going back for thousands of years with the Original Peoples (we call Native Americans) and the Buffalo. A relationship so sacred many tribes refer to the Buffalo as their relatives. Mary and I talked for hours and grew closer to the point we felt like family with just this brief interaction. As we hugged and said goodbye, the connection was made for life long friends. Mary brought the message back to her mother and Catherine jumped right in to help. As I never had the honor to meet Catherine, meeting her daughter, Mary, was a glimpse into her beautiful heart. To be thought of in this hard time by the family is an honor that makes our commitment to never stop even stronger. My heart and prayers are with her family and all that knew her. Rest in power and know you will never be forgotten.

With the Buffalo,
Mike Mease

The family asked that donations being made in Catherine's honor go the Buffalo Field Campaign and to the buffalo she cherished so much. Click here to donate in Catherine's honor.