Page 30 - Trending Magazine 2018 Spring

Good Eats Bison_Layout 1 18-03-16 2:03 PM Page 5

They’re a resilient animal — a
“strong, sturdy animal
that’s adapted to the
rugged climate,” Gompf
said. They can
“withstand elements
that would just shut us
down.”
Looking over his field
with admiration, Gompf
is proud to have helped
retain a small pocket of
the pre-colonial prairie
landscape.
Reestablishing this
pre-colonial,
traditional way of life
is central for some
Indigenous
communities, whose
leadership has been
working toward re-
introducing bison into their
cultures.
Skownan First Nation has been
integral to introducing wood bison to
the northern Interlake region, where
numbers now total a few hundred. But
you don’t have to leave Westman to find
a local herd.
Sioux Valley Dakota Nation has a herd of
approximately 35 bison, and councillor
Anthony Tacan said that taking care of
them is a way of giving back to an animal
that helped sustain his people’s ancestors.
While they already include the bison in
ceremony and healing, their longer-term
goal involves growing the herd so they’re
able to incorporate bison meat into their
school’s lunch program.