For over 6,000 years, Indigenous peoples of the Northern Plains have gathered at Wanuskewin, a sacred site home to important cultural landmarks, including two bison jumps.
Bison were central to Indigenous life, providing essential resources such as food, clothing, shelter, and tools. However, by the late 1800s, settlement expansion, homesteading, overhunting, and habitat destruction drove the once 30 million-strong bison population to the brink of extinction. Today, Wanuskewin Heritage Park, located near Saskatoon, stands as a world-renowned centre for research, cultural preservation, and education, celebrating the traditions and histories of local Indigenous communities. As part of the effort to reconnect the land with its cultural heritage, Associated Engineering led the design, construction, and project management of new facilities to care for bison, enabling their long-awaited return to Wanuskewin. This project represented not only a technical achievement but also a profound collaboration built on cultural awareness and mutual respect, culminating in the reintroduction of bison to the land in 2019.
The Wanuskewin Heritage Park Authority set out to restore balance to the land, animals, grasslands, and spirit by facilitating the return of bison to the plains of Wanuskewin. Associated Engineering embraced a deeply collaborative approach, working closely with the Park Authority, Indigenous communities, Elders, and other stakeholders. This inclusive process encouraged open dialogue and respected every voice, fostering a shared understanding that ultimately shaped and enhanced the design of the bison-care facilities. In December 2019, six bison from the Grasslands National Park herd in southwestern Saskatchewan were reintroduced to Wanuskewin. Just one month later, four pregnant cows and a mature bull—descendants of the historic Northern Plains bison—joined the herd from the United States. In a powerful symbol of renewal, the first bison calf in 150 years was born on the Northern Plains of Wanuskewin just four months after the reintroduction. Today, the herd has grown to nearly 30 bison. The success of the bison-care facility marks the beginning of a remarkable journey—one that restores the spiritual connection between the Indigenous peoples of the Northern Plains and the bison, and stands as a living symbol of reconciliation, cultural revitalisation, and hope for future generations.
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Associated Engineering
Wanuskewin
