A new bison herd has been successfully established the The Key first nation near Norquay, about 290 kilometers northeast of Regina.

The 40 plains bison marks a historic moment for the Key first nation, which has worked closely with Parks Canada and the Nature Conservancy of Canada to return the culturally significant animals to their traditional lands.

Bison are an iconic symbol of the grasslands and once numbered in the tens of millions, and were a stable food for Indigenous people.

A total of 20 plains bison from Grasslands National park and 20 from Old Man on His Back Prairie and Heritage Conservation area in Saskatchewan were moved to the Key First Nation lands.

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