Reconciliation
Carrying the spirit of the buffalo: How artist Lane Meneen celebrates Indigenous resilience through TELUS fleet
Oct 21, 2025
In northern Alberta approximately 600 kilometres away from Edmonton, four TELUS fleet vehicles have been wrapped with the design “For as long as the sun shines, the grass grows and the rivers flow,” created by Lane Meneen of Tallcree First Nation.
This collaboration is part of our TELUS fleet branding program, developed with the intention of deepening our relationships with the Indigenous communities that we service by showcasing their experiences, stories and talent on TELUS vehicles.
For as long as the sun shines, the grass grows and the rivers flow
To me, this piece is a representation of my time growing up in North Tallcree. Riding around on our bikes, being completely captivated by the northern lights as they lit up the sky. Skating on the frozen ponds during winter, seeing the hills in the distance as we drove home from town. All these moments that seem small in the moment but define my memories of living here.
The iconography of the Bison/Buffalo has always been one of strength and resilience against insurmountable odds. They’re a symbol of preservation, of our ability as First Nations Peoples to face struggles head on and always bounce back. To endure and thrive when faced with challenges. That’s what Tallcree is, the spirit of the Buffalo, enduring, thriving and facing the future head on. The title of the piece also alludes to the spirit of Tallcree, “For as long as the sun shines, the grass grows and the rivers flow,” we’re here, we’re living and progressing in our community.
Before I moved away from home to go to college, my dad said something to me that has stuck with me since. “What did the Buffalo say to his son before he left for college? Bison.”
About Lane
My name is Lane Meneen. I grew up and currently reside in North Tallcree First Nation. I lived on reserve until I was 10, then moved to the neighbouring town of Fort Vermilion. I am the second son of Tom and Claudia Meneen. I have two brothers and four sisters. I graduated high school from Fort Vermilion Public school, then attended the then Grande Prairie Regional College, now known as Northwestern Polytechnic, where I graduated with a Diploma in Visual Art & Design. I also attended the University of Alberta where I graduated with a Bachelors of Arts Degree with a Major in Art & Design.
I think like any other kid growing up, I grew a fascination with art from watching cartoons and reading comic books. Fascinated by the ability to take an image you see in your head and put it out in the world, to tell stories and create worlds. To me, that’s what art is about: self expression and being able to tell a story without needing words. And each person who views that art will walk away with their own interpretation of the work. It’s an expression of not only the artist, but also the viewer.
