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nce a seemingly unstoppable force in North The natural habitat finds these bison co-habit their
America, bison trampled the plains in the territory with predators; namely, wolves.
Omillions, serving as an important source of With these wild bison situated within a wide range of
sustenance for Indigenous peoples. land between Highway 60 and Highway 328,
With colonialization came over-hunting, and by the between Lake Winnipegosis and Lake Winnipeg,
late 19th century bison were on the verge of Joynt said that few Manitobans are likely to see them
extinction. without a guide.
Despite their dwindling numbers, pockets of bison As such, those keen on viewing bison are more likely
persevered. to find success with those Manitoban herds that have
Sprinkled throughout Manitoba, many of these been fenced off.
pockets are available for public viewing. Although The Town of Minnedosa maintains a herd of a dozen
most of them are kept at for-profit ranches, some bison year-round.
efforts have been led by communities intent on Located along Highway 262 between downtown
preserving the animals for future generations. Minnedosa and Minnedosa Lake, Bison Park sees
Of those herds of bison to survive, only one is truly newborn calves arrive every spring.
free range. The community manages the bison through an
Riding Mountain National Park, Sioux Valley Dakota agreement with a nearby rancher, wherein the
Nation and the Town of Minnedosa all maintain herds, community takes care of their feeding in exchange for
but they’re both limited to a fenced-in area. their remaining at Bison Park.
Initiated by Skownan First Nation, a Government of A walking trail circles the enclosure, allowing people
Manitoba-maintained herd in the northern Interlake to get a closer look at the bison, which public works
region constitute the province’s only free range bison. director Kevin Marcino said are a unique sight in the
Manager of game, fur and human wildlife conflict for area that draws a steady stream of people throughout
the Wildlife and Fisheries Branch Brian Joynt said the year.
that the herd of wood bison is approximately 300 to Sioux Valley Dakota Nation has a herd of about 35
350 in number, although this is just a rough estimate bison housed on 100 acres of land at the west side of
since it has been a while since they’ve done a survey. the community, which are overseen by councillor
“The herd is doing well,” he said, adding; “It’s not Anthony Tacan.
growing excessively. It’s a wild herd that’s taking care This herd is unique for its inclusion of three white
of itself with very little management effort on the part bison.
of the department.” “To the Dakota, the white buffalo is part of our history;
The herd originates from Alberta’s Elk Island National our teachings, so they’re to be looked after and
Park, with animals released in the 1980s and ’90s. respected,” Tacan said “It came into this world where

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