Second Indigenous Bison Hunt in Banff’s Backcountry to Begin Next Week

Second Indigenous Bison Hunt in Banff’s Backcountry to Begin Next Week Banff National Park will host its second Indigenous‑led bison hunt in October 2025, with 11 First Nations and Métis communities participating. The hunt, part of Parks Canada’s bison reintroduction program, aims to strengthen cultural traditions, manage herd growth, and restore ecological balance in the backcountry. 🦬 Historic Return of Bison to Banff In 2017, Parks Canada reintroduced 16 plains bison into Banff National Park’s remote backcountry after more than a century of absence. Since then, the herd has thrived, growing to more than 100 animals. The reintroduction was hailed as a landmark conservation success, restoring a keystone species that once shaped the park’s grasslands and supported Indigenous cultures for millennia. The bison’s return has also created opportunities for Indigenous communities to reconnect with cultural practices, including traditional hunts that had been absent from the region for generations. 🤝 Indigenous Leadership in Wildlife Stewardship Next week, Banff will see its second Indigenous‑led bison hunt, following the inaugural event in 2022. Eleven First Nations and Métis communities with historic ties to the region have been invited to participate. The hunt is not open to the general public. Instead, it is a rights‑based harvest, recognizing the deep cultural, spiritual, and subsistence connections Indigenous peoples have with bison. Community leaders emphasize that the hunt is about more than food—it is about revitalizing traditions, teaching youth, and strengthening intergenerational knowledge transfer. 📊 Managing a Growing Herd Since their release, Banff’s bison have flourished in the park’s eastern slopes. With the herd now surpassing 100 animals, Parks Canada has worked with Indigenous partners to ensure population growth remains sustainable. Officials note that without natural predators such as wolves in sufficient numbers to regulate the herd, controlled Indigenous hunts are a vital management tool. These hunts help prevent overgrazing, protect sensitive alpine ecosystems, and maintain a healthy balance between wildlife and habitat. 🌍 Cultural and Ecological Significance For Indigenous communities, the bison is more than a species—it is a symbol of resilience and survival. Historically, bison provided food, clothing, tools, and spiritual meaning. The opportunity to once again harvest bison in Banff represents a powerful act of cultural renewal. From an ecological perspective, bison are considered ecosystem engineers. Their grazing patterns shape grasslands, create habitat for birds and insects, and recycle nutrients into the soil. Their presence in Banff is already contributing to greater biodiversity and healthier landscapes. 🗣️ Voices from the Communities Indigenous leaders have described the hunt as a moment of healing and reconnection. Elders emphasize the importance of involving youth, ensuring that traditional knowledge about hunting, processing, and honoring the animal is passed down. Parks Canada has reiterated its commitment to co‑management with Indigenous nations, highlighting the hunt as an example of reconciliation in action. 🔑 Key Takeaways - Second Indigenous bison hunt in Banff begins next week. - 11 First Nations and Métis communities will participate. - The herd, reintroduced in 2017 with 16 animals, has grown to over 100. - Hunts are rights‑based and not open to the public. - Goals include cultural revitalization, youth education, and ecological balance. Final Note The upcoming Indigenous bison hunt in Banff National Park is both a conservation milestone and a cultural renewal. By blending ecological management with Indigenous rights and traditions, the initiative demonstrates how Canada’s national parks can serve as living landscapes of reconciliation, biodiversity, and shared stewardship.