In Manitoba, a growing bison herd offers lessons in cultural restoration and community – The Narwhal

March 6, 2026

As a group of once-endangered wood bison join a larger herd in Skownan First Nation, hope for the future of the culturally vital species grows

A large herd of bagwaji-bizhikiwag (wood bison) call Chitek Lake Anishinaabe Provincial Park in Manitoba home — and their community recently grew even larger.

On Feb. 18, the herd welcomed 10 new bulls and cows to their territory nestled between Lake Winnipegosis and Lake Winnipeg — more than 300 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg.

They’d traveled 12 hours in a massive cattle trailer across provinces, from Elk Island National Park in Alberta.