Bison Return to Willow Lake Métis Nation with Help from Alberta Oil and Gas Industry

Willow Lake Métis Nation is working to bring back its bison population after over 100 years, thanks in part to partnerships with Alberta's oil and gas industry.

In February 2026, the Nation released 20 wood bison from Elk Island National Park into an enclosure on land it acquired in 2022. The project is a key component of the Nation's economic development and cultural renewal plan.

Matthew Michetti, manager of government and industry relations for Willow Lake Métis Nation, credits the partnerships with helping the project get off the ground. 'Without those relationships, none of this could happen,' he said.

The bison ranch is designed to be sustainable, with a limited annual harvest primarily for community use. The farm also includes a hydroponic 'grow pod' producing fresh vegetables and plans for expanded agriculture, traditional medicine cultivation, and eventually an eco-tourism operation.