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Michif language students from the Batoche area joined Métis leaders for a naming ceremony to welcome 16 new calves to the Batoche bison herd.
The calves are the first bison born in the Batoche area in almost 150 years, Métis elders told students from St. Louis, Duck Lake and Bellevue, Sask. Earlier this year, students from across the province were invited to help name the calves.
In 2023, Métis Nation—Saskatchewan (MN-S) partnered with Parks Canada to bring 25 yearlings to Batoche from a herd at Grasslands National Park. They added 50 more last year.
The field trip brought students a little closer to Métis through land-based education, said Darcy Lepowich, MN-S minister of environment, agriculture, lands and resources.
“They saw the buffalo run around … and by learning that way instead of just out of a book they’ll retain the information learned today,” Lepowich said.
“I encouraged them to ask questions of the elders and from their teachers, just to learn a little bit about the history of the Métis here, because the buffalo herds were a big part of having Métis settled in this area.”
The chosen names use the northern, heritage and French dialects of Michif. They include Chiraan (Northern Light), Toneur (Thunder), La ci flesh (Little Arrow) and Li pchi (The Little One).
One calf is named Groos tet – or “Big Head” in English – which pleased Samantha Campbell, a Grade 10 student at St. Louis Public School who takes Michif language classes.
“It’s a nice and funny name. It comes from the heart,” Campbell said. “[Today] was an amazing experience. I feel lucky.”
After the names were revealed, a convoy of students and observers ventured into the bison paddock to see the herd.
Angela Rancourt teaches the Michif language class and co-ordinates the Michif early learning program for pre-K and kindergarten students.
“This is our homeland,” Rancourt said. “My ancestors were here. Our high school students can identify their families’ river lots. So being able to be on this land, celebrating something like this together, it’s really moving.”
She said seeing bison in person is a special experience.
“Then to have our language actually being used in that [naming] process and the kids engaged in that process, it’s really important for them to see themselves represented in this space,” Rancourt said.
At some point the herd will grow too big and some bison will be moved to start new herds, Lepowich said.
“The herd is almost at its carrying capacity right now, but we’ll have a lot more calves born next spring,” he said. “These buffalo will be used as nucleus herds for other areas and Métis groups in the province.”
