Buffalo calves “symbol of hope and resilience” at Wanuskewin
- NC Raine | July 19, 2020
New life was welcomed in one of Saskatchewan's most culturally significant spots when four baby bison were born this spring at Wanuskewin Heritage Park in Saskatoon.
The births mark the first time since 1876 that a generation of buffalo, as the hoofed beasts are commonly called by Indigenous people, were born here.
The calves appear to have a knack for timing as well, with the first calf arriving on Earth Day (April 22), the third arriving on Red Dress Day (May 5), and the latest arriving on Mother's Day (May 10). This new generation of bison is comprised of three females and one male.
“It's a lot of excitement. These are the first calves to be born on this land in over 150 years. So it's a big event, and interesting how three of the four calves came on quite significant days,” Craig Thoms, bison manager at Wanuskewin, told Eagle Feather News.
The bison herd at Wanuskewin was sourced from Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan, and has ancestral ties back to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Elk Island National Park in Alberta.
After consultation with elders, it was decided that the calves would not be named, as buffalo are considered to be kin of many Indigenous people across the land, said Chief Executive Officer Darlene Brander. Tobacco was laid down on the land to give thanks for their arrival.
“It is an honour for our park to welcome these magnificent creatures back to their natural territory,” Brander said.
“They have become a powerful symbol of hope and resilience during these trying times of isolation.”
The North American Great Plains were once home to 30 million bison. Today, in Canada, only 1,500 wild, genetically-pure bison survive, all of which are from around 50 bison identified in the 1900s. But Wanuskewin has undertaken a $40 million revitalizing project, called Thundering Ahead, to help reintroduce bison to the grasslands ecosystem and establish the park as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
“By introducing bison back to the land, we will be adding that essential element needed for balance in both a cultural and scientific sense,” said Felix Thomas, Wanuskewin Board Chair and Thundering Ahead Co-Chair.
“We aim to grow the park to act as a natural oasis within the city limits that will offer a place for families to come and connect with the land once again,” he said.
Over time, the herd is expected to grow to about 50 bison.