Banff holds blessing ceremony with Indigenous elders before letting bison roam
BANFF, Alta. — Several Indigenous elders were flown by helicopter into the backcountry of Banff National Park on Monday for a blessing ceremony as officials prepared to let recently reintroduced bison roam free.
The trip organized by Parks Canada was part of the overall plan to release the bison into a larger area of the park.
The animals disappeared from the region before the national park was created in 1885.
No one from Banff National Park was available for an interview, but officials said in a statement that they are committed to recognizing the spiritual, cultural and historical importance of bison to Indigenous people.