In the midst of a fierce blizzard at a Métis-operated ranch in northeastern Alberta, the sound of hooves clattering against metal and snow echoed through the air. Twenty shaggy wood bison emerged one by one from a metal shipping container, darting into a fenced area within the boreal forest. The scene was met with embraces, cheers, and high-fives as the herd vanished into the swirling snow. This marked the first bison stampede, albeit controlled, at the Willow Lake Métis Nation in around 120 years.
Approximately 30 elders and leaders from the community warmly welcomed the herd, which had been relocated from Elk Island National Park. The bison now reside on a ranch managed by the Métis community near the hamlet of Anzac, approximately 50 kilometers southeast of Fort McMurray.
Reflecting on the event, 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.”
Leaders within the Métis community view the ranch’s establishment as a significant milestone for both the Indigenous community and the bison themselves. Kyle Whitford, an Indigenous guardian employed as a trapper for Willow Lake Métis Nation, emphasized the importance of the herd for food sustainability, describing it as a step towards bringing the wood bison back to Wood Buffalo.
The bison are integral to Willow Lake’s $50-million, multi-year food sustainability initiative. They will inhabit 16 hectares of the 82-hectare ranch, which will eventually host hens, honey bees, greenhouses, hydroponics, and community gardens. This endeavor is not only a pivotal start to the community’s agricultural and tourism ventures but also contributes to achieving sovereignty by enabling influence over their environment.
Future plans for cultural and tourism activities at Willow Lake include an Indigenous medicine walk, collaborations with schools, and the establishment of a visitors’ center. Stella Lavallee, the president of Willow Lake Métis Nation, is enthusiastic about involving elders in the bison harvest to provide immediate sustenance for Métis families and pass down essential skills to younger generations.
Nathaniel Ostashewski, the owner of Cyrus Bison located over 400 kilometers south in Bonnyville, Alberta, is advising Willow Lake on ranching practices, foreseeing continued growth of the herd. With the lush humidity of neighboring Gregoire Lake and the long northern summer sunlight fostering plant growth, he anticipates the bison will transform the muskeg into a flourishing prairie through their actions, benefiting the ecosystem.
The return of the bison to Métis land signifies a significant milestone, marking a century since the animals last roamed the area. This move towards food sovereignty for the nation is a positive step as they reintroduce their traditional lifestyle in a more sustainable manner.
By revitalizing the presence of bison in Alberta, it is believed that the overall ecosystem will thrive, benefiting all involved parties.