KarunaNews Story

The White Earth Nation’s Bison Program has welcomed its first calf to its breeding herd located near Naytahwaush, marking a new chapter in its ongoing efforts to restore bison to Anishinaabe lands. Bison, or mashkode-bizhiki in the Ojibwe language, once roamed and thrived on Minnesota’s prairies in large numbers but settlement and overhunting reduced the population to a small number of captive bison in the 19th century. White Earth Nation, which partners with a partnership of over 80 tribes, received bison for its breeding herd about two years ago and currently has 10 total between its breeding herd and harvest operation. The program hopes to have a total of 44 by early next year and intends to secure more acres of pasture at both herding locations in Mahnomen and near Naytahwaush in the future. The calf’s birth is said to be “a sign of resilience, healing and hope for future generations.”