Parks Canada, the Arts and Heritage Foundation of St. Albert and Métis advisors launch exhibit to share history of the Métis people and their connection to bison.
June 18, 2022 St. Albert, Alberta Parks Canada Agency
The historic conservation success story of Elk Island National Park is becoming a story of reconciliation - a story about restoring the relationships between Indigenous peoples and bison through translocations to communities and by ensuring that their histories and knowledge are integrated by Indigenous peoples into the conservation of this important species.
Today, Elder Archie Arcand from the St. Albert - Sturgeon County Métis Local, Shelley Biermanski, Deputy Mayor of St. Albert, and Ahmad Sanni, Board Trustee with the Arts and Heritage Foundation of St. Albert, joined Parks Canada officials to launch the travelling exhibit Lii Buflo: A Métis Way of Life showcasing the history of the Métis peoples and their relationship with bison.
Working closely with a Métis advisory committee, Elk Island National Park and the Arts and Heritage Foundation of St. Albert seek to showcase Métis voices and stories about bison. Through a blend of storytelling and art from Métis artist, Jesse Gouchey, the exhibit offers opportunities for people in the Edmonton Area to learn about the history of the Métis people and the bison while increasing awareness of Elk Island National Park's bison conservation program.
The Métis people from the area now known as Edmonton continue to have a rich relationship with bison. The history of this relationship is passed down through story from Elders. Historically, the Métis people in this area gathered twice per year to hunt the bison, known in the Métis Northern Michif language as lii buflo. It was a collaborative effort of multiple communities coming together to hunt and process the bison.
At the turn of the 20th century, wild bison were on the brink of extinction following decades of settlers' market hunting for their hides and in order to clear the plains for agricultural development. Between 1907 and 1909, some of the last surviving bison were shipped to Alberta from Montana. The descendants of these bison can be seen in Elk Island National Park today. Since that time, bison have found a protected sanctuary at Elk Island.
The travelling exhibit Lii Buflo: A Métis Way of Life showcases this important history. Representation in art and history matters - Métis history runs parallel to and intertwines with Canada's history, and is an important aspect of the foundation of Western Canada.
