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A cacophony of hooves against metal and snow pierced through a fierce blizzard at a Métis-operated ranch in northeastern Alberta.
One after another, 20 shaggy-haired wood bison sprinted from a metal shipping container and into a fenced portion of the boreal forest. There were hugs, cheers and high-fives as the herd disappeared into the swirling snow.
It was the first bison stampede, albeit a controlled one, on the Willow Lake Métis Nation in roughly 120 years.
About 30 elders and leaders from the community greeted the herd, which was relocated from Elk Island National Park. The herd now lives on a ranch operated by the Métis community near the hamlet of Anzac, about 50 kilometres southeast of Fort McMurray.
“It’s so nice and humbling … so very beautiful to see. I’m glad I’m part of it,” said Robert Cree, an elder from the nearby Fort McMurray 468 First Nation.
“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.”
Bringing ‘wood bison back to Wood Buffalo’
Métis leaders say the ranch’s opening is an historic landmark for the Indigenous community and the animals themselves. Kyle Whitford, a trapper employed as an Indigenous guardian for Willow Lake Métis Nation, says the herd is a victory for food sustainability.
“It’s bringing the wood bison back to Wood Buffalo,” said Whitford. “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 herd is part of Willow Lake’s $50-million, multi-year food sustainability plan. The bison will live on 16 hectares of the 82 hectare ranch, which will eventually have hens, honey bees, greenhouses, hydroponics and community gardens.
“It’s a really valuable start to our agriculture and tourism business, as well as helping to achieve sovereignty, which is being able to influence your environment,” said Matthew Michetti, who leads government and industry relations for Willow Lake.
Long-term cultural and tourism plans include an Indigenous medicine walk, partnerships with schools and building a visitors’ centre.
Stella Lavallee, president of Willow Lake Métis Nation, is excited to have elders bring their expertise to the bison harvest, which will both provide immediate food for Métis families while passing along important skills to younger generations.
Feather Bourque-Jenner, Willow Lake’s director, said the project will help mitigate food and living costs in the north.
“A part of that is reintroducing our lifestyle in a more sustainable way back into our day-to-day life,” she said.
Nathaniel Ostashewski, who owns Cyrus Bison, located more than 400 kilometres south in Bonnyville, Alta., is advising Willow Lake on ranching. He predicts the herd will continue to grow.
The lush humidity of neighbouring Gregoire Lake and long northern summer sunlight stimulates plant growth, he said.
The animals themselves will transform the muskeg into a vibrant prairie as their sharp hooves aerate the soil and reintroduce moisture and nutrients. Even the hairs from their coats will be used by birds and rodents in nests and burrows.
“If bison flourish in Alberta, so be it. That’s much better for all of us,” he said.
The Willow Lake Métis Nation has brought 20 bison back to its land, marking the first time in 100 years that the animals have roamed the area. As CBC’s Jamie Malbeuf reports, It’s a move toward food sovereignty for the nation.
