'Bison Day' at Agribition marked with sales, Indigenous ceremonies
The second day of the Canadian Western Agribition was called ‘bison day’ and for good reason. Events focused on the importance of bison in the agriculture industry as well as the animal’s Indigenous roots and connections.
A powwow was performed by First Nation Dance Troupe in which organizers talked the audience through the importance of Indigenous ceremonies.
It was the first time that Agribition has included Indigenous culture in this way.
“A lot of people didn't understand what bison is and what it means to us as Indigenous people,” member of the First Nation Dance Troupe Jack Cappo said.
“It provided a bit of insight, a better understanding of why we do these things and why we would have so much respect for bison.”
The bison plays a significant role in Indigenous culture.
“Shelter, food, tools for hunting, for cooking, for clothing,” Chasity Delorme explained.
“So it was essentially like what we needed to live and to survive so it's not just a ceremonial thing.”
Bison have been a part of Agribition for 30 years since its inception. However, the animal has never had a day dedicated to them.
“We're a small industry but one that's built on sustainability and it's a great product, healthy for you and healthy for the planet,” Brennin Jack, who is a bison producer and auctioneer, told CTV News.
“So it doesn't get better than that.”
Day two of Agribition was marked by a celebration of the bison, which featured powwow celebrations as well as bison sales. (Luke Simard/CTV News)
According to Jack, Canadian bison is the best in the world.
“Just because of the cold weather and all of the years of quality stock that has been bred here by the producers just makes them the best in the world,” Jack said.
Premier Scott Moe said bison are becoming a significant contributor to the Saskatchewan economy.
“If you look where we are today and where we are in the in the future, bison is a becoming a significant part of our livestock production,” Moe said.
Powwows and bison sales highlighted a busy second day at Agribition.
With the day’s activities proving that both are vital aspects of Saskatchewan’s cultural history and its economic future.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
It could take years to catch up on child vaccinations in Ontario post-pandemic
Ontario is still playing catch up on routine vaccinations that many children missed during the pandemic and public health officials are warning that it could take years to solve the problem.