Bison roam on Pelican Lake First Nation again thanks to act of reconciliation

A herd of bison returned to Pelican Lake First Nation in Saskatchewan this month, bringing hope to the community.

Loko Koa, a Saskatchewan-based Samoan organization, teamed up with the relief organization Tearfund to gift 22 bison to the community, which is located about 185 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon.

"It is important that they return to our community because they will also help our youth and the generations to come, because of the trials they are going through due to the distraction of drugs and alcohol," Chief Peter Bill said.

"They will be able to partake in ceremonies and get strength from the bison to overcome the obstacles they are facing."

The hope is to build the herd up to 300 to sustain the community. Once that happens, Pelican Lake First Nation and other communities will pay it forward by gifting bison to another nearby community.

Loko Koa has previously helped bring bison to Peepeekisis Cree Nation, Zagime Anishinabek, and Cote First Nation.

• Tears of joy as bison return to a Saskatchewan First Nation

• Sask. First Nation welcomes bison back to their territory

Loss of the buffalo

Knowledge keeper Charles Rabbitskin said that he was told Loko Koa began donating bison in an act of reconciliation after learning about how the animals were lost due to colonialism.

It is estimated that as many as 50 million bison once roamed across the Prairies of North America, and were central to life for many First Nations communities. By the early 1900s, they were on the brink of being wiped out on the continent after being killed for sport, profit and military gain by settlers and governments.

"We lost our identity, we lost our freedom, our sacredness. We lost our kinship," Rabbitskin said.

Bison back

Now that the bison have returned to the community, Rabbitskin said they bring a positive, sacred energy that can cut through the chaos or inner turmoil that families may be struggling through due to intergenerational trauma caused by residential schools.

"One of the ceremonies we do with the buffalo, the first thing that comes to mind is kinship," Rabbitskin said.

Rabbitskin said he is hopeful that the herd will bring families and the community together and teach younger generations traditional teachings.

"When we bring back the buffalo, they have something to look forward to and in the future, they can use the meat, use the hide, use about everything on a buffalo," Rabbitskin said.