A cacophony of hooves clattering against metal and snow broke through a severe blizzard at a Métis-run ranch in northeastern Alberta. In a controlled manner, 20 shaggy wood bison dashed out of a metal shipping container and into a fenced area of the boreal forest. Amidst the swirling snow, there were embraces, cheers, and high-fives as the herd vanished into the wintry landscape.
This event marked the first bison stampede at the Willow Lake Métis Nation in about 120 years. Around 30 elders and community leaders warmly welcomed the herd, which had been relocated from Elk Island National Park to a ranch operated by the Métis community near Anzac, about 50 kilometers southeast of Fort McMurray.
Robert Cree, an elder from the nearby Fort McMurray 468 First Nation, expressed his joy, stating, “It’s so nice and humbling… so very beautiful to see. I’m glad I’m part of it. I’m glad they’re back home. There used to be buffalo here years ago. My grandfather used to talk about it. I’m glad they’re back on our traditional lands.”
The opening of the ranch is deemed a historic milestone for the Métis community and the bison themselves, according to Métis leaders. Kyle Whitford, an Indigenous guardian employed at Willow Lake, described the herd’s return as a significant step towards food sustainability. “It’s bringing the wood bison back to Wood Buffalo,” Whitford expressed. “I’m very excited and very relieved now that they’re at their home, which they’ll love and enjoy because we built it with love.”
The bison are part of a $50-million multi-year food sustainability plan at Willow Lake. They will occupy 16 hectares of the 82-hectare ranch, which will also feature hens, honey bees, greenhouses, hydroponics, and community gardens. Matthew Michetti, overseeing government and industry relations for Willow Lake, highlighted the venture’s significance in kickstarting agriculture and tourism businesses and contributing to achieving sovereignty.
Future plans at Willow Lake encompass long-term cultural and tourism initiatives, such as an Indigenous medicine walk, school partnerships, and the establishment of a visitors’ center. The project aims to involve elders in the bison harvest to provide food for Métis families and pass down crucial skills to younger generations, as mentioned by Stella Lavallee, the president of Willow Lake Métis Nation. Feather Bourque-Jenner, the director at Willow Lake, emphasized how the project will help reduce food and living expenses in the northern region by reintroducing a sustainable lifestyle into daily life.
Nathaniel Ostashewski, owner of Cyrus Bison in Bonnyville, Alberta, is advising Willow Lake on ranching operations and foresees the herd’s growth. He noted the favorable conditions in the area, with the lush humidity from nearby Gregoire Lake and extended summer sunlight promoting plant growth. Ostashewski highlighted how the bison would enhance the ecosystem by aerating the soil with their hooves, reintroducing moisture and nutrients, and providing materials for other wildlife.
The successful return of the bison to Métis land is a significant step towards food sovereignty for the nation, as reported by CBC. The move is expected to have positive implications for the local ecosystem and the community’s cultural identity.
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Keywords: bison, Métis, Alberta, ranch, Indigenous, sustainability, food, community, tourism, heritage, ecosystem