Latest news with #Wanuskewin
CTV News
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Wanuskewin bison herd has grown in the past five years
Watch WATCH: It's national bison week and Wanuskewin Heritage Parks highlights the cultural and ecological roles of the animals.
CTV News
18-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
‘Come back into play': Wanuskewin bison herd has grown in the past five years
Wanuskewin Heritage Park is marking national bison week by highlighting the cultural and ecological significance of bison. 'Bison are regarded as a keystone species,' said Ian Hnatowich, manager of natural resources and ecology at Wanuskewin. 'Without the bison on this landscape — much like a building would crumble and fail without the keystone — these environments would similarly begin to crumble and fail.' Bison behaviour create conditions and habitats that can benefit other plants and animals. Their waste incubates insect eggs and larvae, which in turn provide food for endangered prairie bird species. As bison roam, they also help spread seeds, and birds use their shed fur for nesting. Nearly 150 years after facing near extinction, bison are making a comeback. In 2019, a small herd of 11 bison was introduced to Wanuskewin. That herd has since grown to more than 50, and their presence is already making a noticeable impact on the landscape. 'We've seen the rejuvenation of several different specific animal species and their populations,' Hnatowich told CTV News. 'We've also seen new species that should be part of this environment start to slowly come back into play.' Bison also hold spiritual and cultural importance for many Indigenous communities. Historically, they were used for a variety of purposes including food, clothing, and ceremonial practices. 'Bison have such a huge history here on the Plains, and they are so intertwined with the history of Indigenous people,' said Jessie Muhlbach, a senior interpretive guide. 'So, when you learn about bison, you're also learning about the land and Indigenous culture.' National bison week encourages people to celebrate the species. 'Because it's national bison week, coming out here and spending time with the bison is a great way to understand Wanuskewin in its complete form,' said Andrew McDonald, co-executive director of Wanuskewin. National bison week runs until Saturday.
CTV News
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Saskatoon celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day
Wanuskewin welcomed many visitors on Saturday, as people gathered to recognize National Indigenous Peoples Day. 'Dancing, food, art, storytelling - all these different elements of culture we aim to showcase here. So, we want to really give people the opportunity to immerse themselves in culture,' said Andrew McDonald, co-executive director at Wanuskewin. The day was filled with learning opportunities for visitors to the centre. One highlight was the chance to help process an elk hide. 'We've been softening and just processing one hide. We're going to do a beavertail in a little bit. And then we just have all the different parts of the animal and kind of the processes that you can see it through,' said Brad Belisle, senior interpreter at Wanuskewin . The event was an opportunity to learn a bit about the history of how Indigenous people lived before colonization. Belisle said the resourcefulness and skill the first peoples had often surprises visitors. 'Just like amazement. Everything on the can be used and people just sometimes don't have the knowledge of what they can be used for,' Belisle said. Throughout the day, visitors could participate in various educational experiences catering to different learning styles. 'There's something out here for everyone, so you can learn in a physical manner or just by watching - there's something for everybody,' Belisle said.
