anager for Banff National Park, said the federal agency is facilitating a ceremonial bison harvest in Banff’s backcountry throughout the month of October.
She said it is a pilot initiative led by the Indigenous Advisory Circle (IAC) for Banff National Park – made up of the Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney First Nations, the Siksika, Kainai and Piikani First Nations, the Tsuut’ina First Nation and the The Rocky View Métis District of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government – and one bison has been allocated per IAC member for a total of eight.
“The ceremonial hunt is proceeding at the request of the Indigenous Advisory Circle and following guidance from a joint IAC/Parks Canada working group,” she said in an email.
“Out of respect for the participating Nations and to ensure the success of this important initiative, Parks Canada will share further information after each Nation has had the opportunity to complete their harvest activities and the results are known.”
“Parks Canada is committed to gathering feedback from the Nations and honouring this significant first step towards developing an Indigenous Guardians program in Banff National Park.”
While Parks Canada does not have exact numbers on the reintroduced herd’s current population, there are estimated to be more than 100 bison in Banff’s backcountry in what has been hailed a conservation success story.
Considered a keystone species that helps hold an ecosystem together, bison were absent from Banff National Park for
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