‘They’re home’: 22 buffalo returned to Sask. after over a century absence
Buffalo returned to Witchekan Lake First Nation in Saskatchewan on Monday after a century and a half of absence.
For many years, buffalos have been a source of food, clothing, and tools for indigenous communities.
“The sacred buffalo provided all that for our First Nations people to live, thrive, and survive off the land,” said Bobby Cameron, Chief of the Federation of Indigenous Nations.
Cameron said they plan to share this gift with other First Nations communities once the herd has grown large enough.
“The gift of giving and sharing is a part of our culture,” Cameron said.
Raymon Harris, Chief of Witchekan Lake First Nation said the buffalo are seen as a powerful spirit that symbolizes Indigenous identity and culture.
“They remind us of a long time ago when our people used to roam freely,” Harris said. “They are more than just animals to us.”
Ron and Karen Steckly donated the herd to Witchekan Lake First Nation.
They have been involved with First Nations communities for over ten years.
“It is just as exciting today as it was the first day,” Steckly said. “It is very rewarding.”
Twenty-two buffalo were brought to Witchekan Lake First Nation, including 20 pregnant females and two bulls.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian former Olympic snowboarder wanted in Ontario double homicide: DOJ
A Canadian former Olympic snowboarder who is suspected of being the leader of a transnational drug trafficking group that operated in four countries is wanted for allegedly orchestrating the murder of an 'innocent' couple in Ontario in 2023, authorities say.
Ontario school board trustees under fire for $100K religious art purchase on Italy trip
Trustees with an Ontario school board are responding to criticism over a $45,000 trip to Italy, where they purchased more than $100,000 worth of religious statues.
A photographer snorkeled for hours to take this picture
Shane Gross, a Canadian marine conservation photojournalist, has won the title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Tobacco giants would pay out $32.5 billion to provinces, smokers in proposed deal
Three tobacco giants are proposing to pay close to $25 billion to provinces and territories and more than $4 billion to some 100,000 Quebec smokers and their loved ones as part of a corporate restructuring process triggered by a long-running legal battle.
More Trudeau cabinet ministers not running for re-election, sources say shuffle expected soon
Federal cabinet ministers Filomena Tassi, Carla Qualtrough and Dan Vandal announced Thursday they will not run for re-election. Senior government sources tell CTV News at least one other, Marie-Claude Bibeau, doesn't plan to run again, setting the stage for Justin Trudeau to shuffle his cabinet in the coming weeks.
Robert Pickton's handwritten book seized after his death in hopes of uncovering new evidence
A handwritten book was seized from B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton's prison cell following his death earlier this year, raising hopes of uncovering new evidence in a series of unprosecuted murders.
Former members of One Direction say they're 'completely devastated' by Liam Payne's death
The former members of English boy band One Direction reacted publicly to the sudden death of their bandmate, Liam Payne, for the first time on Thursday, saying in a joint statement that they're 'completely devastated.'
Israel says it has killed top Hamas leader Yayha Sinwar in Gaza
Israeli forces in Gaza killed top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, a chief architect of last year's attack on Israel that sparked the war, the military said Thursday. Troops appeared to have run across him unknowingly in a battle, only to discover afterwards that a body in the rubble was Israel's most wanted man.
Indian government employee charged in foiled murder-for-hire plot in New York City
The U.S. Justice Department announced criminal charges Thursday against an Indian government employee in connection with a foiled plot to kill a Sikh separatist leader living in New York City.