Buffalo herd released on Witchekan Lake First Nation in Saskatchewan
CBC
Buffalo are now back on Witchekan Lake First Nation after a long absence.
Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Chief Bobby Cameron said Monday that his team worked with a bison rancher in southern Alberta to acquire two bulls and 20 pregnant cows.
"They are home. It's going to restore that feeling of hope as First Nation people, will ensure that our little ones and the future generations will understand who they are. It's positive and powerful," he said.
The animals were released onto the First Nation, which is about 160 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon, on Monday. Once they reproduce and the herd grows big enough, Witchekan Lake plans to give some as gifts to other First Nations, Cameron said. Eventually, he said, the goal is food sovereignty.
"It's going to come to a point where we don't need to rely on anybody but a buffalo to feed in the cold winter months," he said.
FSIN said in a news release that buffalo were a main source of food, clothing and tools for many First Nations for a long time, and still carry cultural significance with them today.
"The sacred buffalo has been a major part of First Nation people's lives since time immemorial. Long before any government," Cameron said.
"It's a sacred animal. It always has been. And we honour it. We cherish and we love it and we're gonna respect the buffalo here for several generations. Our intention is that they're around forever."
Elsie Yanik Catholic School in Fort McMurray, Alta., has been trying to build a teepee for a long time, according to the school's Indigenous liaison Michelle Janvier.
The Cree Nation of Mistissini and the government of Quebec signed an agreement to create the first national park in Eeyou Istchee, called Nibiischii Park, which translates to "land of water."
This story is part of CBC Health's Second Opinion, a weekly analysis of health and medical science news emailed to subscribers on Saturday mornings. If you haven't subscribed yet, you can do that by clicking here.
At 2 a.m. one morning in December, Mariah Gladstone asked herself: "Did I really just make a little gory buffalo butcher scene out of Sour Patch Kids and fruit leather?"
December isn't just about the holidays — it's also the time of year we get to enjoy what is often touted as one of the best meteor showers of the year: the Geminids.
A proposed deal that would see three tobacco giants pay out billions to provinces and territories, as well as smokers across Canada, has been approved by the companies' creditors, a lawyer representing some of the creditors says, calling it an important milestone in a lengthy legal saga.
With the Canada Post strike in its fourth week, Inuit and First Nations communities in remote areas are disproportionately feeling the strain.
Invasive species experts are asking those decorating for the holidays to check their trees, wreaths and garland for hidden pests.
Gilles-Francis Pone Shecanapish may not be able to talk about his experience being flown 500 kilometres to a psych ward, but his sister says the experience has left a mark on the 40-year-old who has severe intellectual disabilities and is non-verbal.
WARNING: This story contains details of deaths at residential schools.
Yvonne Russo says she had to see the world through the eyes of Annie Mae Pictou Aquash when directing and producing a new four-part documentary, Vow of Silence: the Assassination of Annie Mae.