Members of the Star Blanket Cree Nation recently witnessed the reintroduction of bison to their community after many years. Located around 100 kilometers northeast of Regina, community members came together over the snowy May long weekend to welcome the new herd of bison with a sense of celebration and pride.
Sharon Strongarm, joined by her grandchildren, eagerly awaited the arrival of the bison from a ranch in Alberta. She described the moment as emotional and spiritual, emphasizing the significance of bringing back the buffalo to their land.
Ariane Starblanket, the community navigator and project manager for the bison release, shared that the initiative stemmed from a vision her late grandfather, a former chief of the community, had to reintroduce bison for healing and food sovereignty. The project evolved into a cultural restoration effort, involving youth in caring for the bison to foster a deeper connection to the land and heritage.
Tristan Starr-Desnomie, one of the appointed bison keepers, expressed his honor and excitement to care for the bison, highlighting the importance of daily monitoring and ensuring the animals’ well-being, especially during calving season.
As the bison settled into their new home on 65 hectares of land, caretakers observed their growing comfort and envisioned future expansion. The bison serve as an educational resource for the community, with plans to eventually utilize them for food, clothing, and medicine, fostering a sense of empowerment and cultural preservation among the Star Blanket Cree Nation.