A symphony of hooves clattering on metal and snow broke through a severe blizzard at a Métis-run ranch in northeastern Alberta. In succession, 20 shaggy wood bison dashed out of a metal shipping container and into a fenced area of the boreal forest. Amidst embraces, cheers, and high-fives, the herd vanished into the swirling snow. This marked the first bison stampede, although controlled, at the Willow Lake Métis Nation in nearly 120 years.
Approximately 30 elders and leaders from the community 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 Anzac, around 50 kilometers southeast of Fort McMurray.
“It’s heartwarming and inspiring to witness. I feel privileged to be a part of it,” said Robert Cree, an elder from the nearby Fort McMurray 468 First Nation. “I’m pleased they’re back where they belong. There used to be buffalo here in the past. My grandfather used to recount stories about it. I’m delighted they’re back on our ancestral lands.”
Bringing ‘wood bison back to Wood Buffalo’
Métis leaders view the ranch’s inauguration as a pivotal moment for the Indigenous community and the bison themselves. Kyle Whitford, an Indigenous guardian employed as a trapper for Willow Lake Métis Nation, described the herd as a triumph for food sustainability.
“This is about bringing the wood bison back to Wood Buffalo,” Whitford emphasized. “I’m extremely thrilled and relieved now that they are in their home, which they will cherish and enjoy because we constructed it with care.”
The herd forms part of Willow Lake’s $50-million, multi-year food sustainability initiative. The bison will occupy 16 hectares of the 82-hectare ranch, which will eventually house hens, honey bees, greenhouses, hydroponics, and community gardens.
“It’s a valuable kickstart to our agricultural and tourism endeavors, while also aiding in achieving sovereignty, which involves influencing your surroundings,” stated Matthew Michetti, who oversees government and industry relations for Willow Lake.
Future cultural and tourism plans encompass an Indigenous medicine walk, collaborations with educational institutions, and the establishment of a visitors’ center.
Stella Lavallee, president of Willow Lake Métis Nation, looks forward to having elders contribute their expertise to the bison harvest, providing immediate sustenance for Métis families and passing on vital skills to younger generations.
Feather Bourque-Jenner, Willow Lake’s director, highlighted that the project will help alleviate food and living expenses in the northern regions.
“As part of this, we are reintroducing our sustainable lifestyle back into our daily routines,” she explained.
Nathaniel Ostashewski, the owner of Cyrus Bison in Bonnyville, Alberta, located over 400 kilometers to the south, is offering guidance to Willow Lake on ranching. He foresees the herd’s continuous expansion.
The abundant humidity from nearby Gregoire Lake and the extended summer daylight in the north promote plant growth, Ostashewski noted. The bison will revitalize the muskeg into a flourishing prairie as their sturdy hooves aerate the soil, reintroducing moisture and nutrients. Even the fibers from their fur will be utilized by birds and rodents for nests and burrows.
“If bison thrive in Alberta, it benefits everyone,” he concluded.