Michif language students from the Batoche region participated in a naming ceremony alongside Métis leaders to introduce 16 new calves to the Batoche bison herd. These calves mark the first bison births in the Batoche vicinity in nearly 150 years, as shared by Métis elders with students from St. Louis, Duck Lake, and Bellevue, Saskatchewan. The students from various parts of the province were involved in naming the calves earlier this year.
In 2023, Métis Nation—Saskatchewan (MN-S) collaborated with Parks Canada to relocate 25 yearlings from Grasslands National Park to Batoche, with an additional 50 bison added last year. The recent field trip aimed to provide students with a hands-on experience in Métis culture through land-based education, according to Darcy Lepowick, MN-S minister of environment, agriculture, lands, and resources. Witnessing the bison in action allowed the students to engage with Métis history in a tangible way, enhancing their retention of the information.
The chosen names for the calves reflect the diverse influences of northern, heritage, and French dialects of Michif. Examples include “Chiraan” (Northern Light), “Toneur” (Thunder), “La ci flesh” (Little Arrow), and “Li pchi” (The Little One). Notably, one calf was named “Groos tet,” which translates to “Big Head” in English, eliciting positive reactions from students like Samantha Campbell, a Grade 10 Michif language learner at St. Louis Public School.
Following the naming ceremony, a group of students and onlookers ventured into the bison paddock to observe the herd up close. Angela Rancourt, who teaches the Michif language class and coordinates the Michif early learning program, emphasized the significance of the event in connecting students to their heritage and the land. She highlighted the importance of seeing the bison in person and engaging with the naming process in their native language.
Looking ahead, as the bison herd grows, plans are in place to relocate some bison to establish new herds. Lepowick mentioned that the current herd is nearing its capacity and anticipates more calves in the upcoming spring, which will serve as nucleus herds for other Métis communities in the province.