With the renaming of the Wild Animal Park and the refocusing on the history of the area, Bison Fest is gathering that history together into an afternoon of celebrating the impact the bison had on the northern plains environment.
A variety of groups have come together to offer their knowledge and history about the great animals, including the Wakamow Aboriginal Community Association, the Southern Plains Metis Local 160, the Moose Jaw Nature Society, and the Northern Plains Heritage Centre
Rich Pickering, one of the organizers, describes the event down in Tatawaw Park as a “pop-up heritage centre,” as the displays and activities all focus on exploring the many cultures who interacted with the bison around Moose Jaw.
“We'll talk about artifacts, talk about all of the different cultures who lived down in the park,” said Pickering. “We'll be talking about the historic trails coming through Moose Jaw — the Cypress Trail, the Wood Mountain trail that came through, we'll talk about where the turn was in the valley, just outside the park.”
Natural history and informational displays will tell the history of the area, which dates back as far as 10,000 years ago.
Cultures like the Metis, Cree, Assiniboine, and Lakota all have ties to the bison, as at one time they were the major driver of the economy.
“We'll be talking about how at the beginning of the 1800s, there was about upwards of 60 million buffalo roaming the prairies, and by the end of the century, they were virtually all gone, so we'll explore what happened there,” said Pickering.
A demonstration showing how a teepee is set up will start off the afternoon, and powwow dancers will show off their craft and explain the importance of each style, with a session of Metis jigging slated to join in.
There will also be demonstrations of bow and arrow shooting, and a chance to try one’s hand at wielding an atlatl — a carved tool that aided in spear-throwing before the widespread use of the bow and arrow, and has been used by hunters as early as the Middle Paleolithic era.
Bison Fest happened once before, a few years ago, but the recent renaming of Tatawaw Park prompted an interest in exploring the rich history of the area, which was home to the Lakota Nation in the late 1800s to early 1930s.
“Oral and archaeological history goes back 10,000 years,” said Pickering. “We're just demonstrating and showing people what is there and what could be.”
Bison Fest will take place on Aug. 10, from 1-4pm, in Tatawaw Park. Admission is free, and attendees are to follow the signs using the 9th Ave SW entrance.
