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BISON FILM

Bison Return From The Edge Of Extinction

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The bison's presence is magnificent, and yet their story is filled with tragedy and played a significant role in Canada's history and people.

The film explores the bison's story in North America from the last ice age to the current day. Bison's Return From The Edge Of Extinction tells of Canada's role in the life of bison in North America.

Estimates vary between 30 million to 60 million bison once roamed the plains of North America. Yet the bison were very close to being made extinct, and the film explores how and why this occurred. We revisit the devastating effects the loss of bison had on First Nations people and what followed that shapes today's people.

The Hudson Bay Company and the North West Company and the story of Ruperts Land are shaped dramatically by the fur trade and bison and its use in Pemmican making. Why was the fur trade reliant on Pemmican, and why did it contribute to the bison's demise?

The Government's early years of bison conservation were politically motivated, and mistakes were made. As a result, the preservation of the bison was not what it is today, and the path to today's conservation work is fascinating.

The film aims to tell the bison from a Canadian viewpoint as it differs significantly from the story told in the United States of America.

The ten part documentary series for non-theatrical release has been completed. To learn how you can access it, please visit the "Distribution & Sales" page

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BISON RETURN FROM THE EDGE OF EXTINCTION

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: CANADA

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2021

OFFICIAL PUBLISHER: SQUARE SHEEP FILMS

DIRECTOR: MIKE WIVELL

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT: “COPYRIGHT @ 2021 BY SQUARE SHEEP FILMS, 2021 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED”

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Episode 1: RUPERT'S LAND & THE FUR TRADE

RUNNING TIME 33:04

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH

SUBTITLES: ENGLISH - EMBEDDED .VTT - SEPARATE CLOSED CAPTION & TRANSCRIPT FILES ATTACHED IN FILE. 

FEATURING: DR. LEROY LITTLE BEAR, WES OLSON, PROFESSOR FRANK TOUGH, GABRIEL BAILEY, DR. AMELIA FAY, BROCK SILVERSIDES.

FILM LOCATIONS: FORT EDMONTON PARK, ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, LAST MOUNTAIN HOUSE, MANITOBA MUSEUM - HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY GALLERY, LOWER FORT GARRY, GRASSLANDS NATIONAL PARK, UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE, BATTLE OF SEVEN OAKS

The episode looks at the fur trade, the Hudson's Bay Company, the North West Company and the creation of Rupert's Land. First Nations and Métis and their involvement within the fur trade.

Critical Studies: History. Politics. First Nations. Indigenous. Conservation. Fur trade. Canada. Hudson's Bay Company. Northwest Company. Anthropology. American History. Archaeology. Canadian History. Canadian Politics. Canadian Social Issues. Documentary. First Nations Studies. Geography. Indigenous Issues. Indigenous Peoples. Nature. World History.

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Episode 2: PEMMICAN & YORK BOATS

RUNNING TIME 32:42

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH

SUBTITLES: ENGLISH - EMBEDDED .VTT - SEPARATE CLOSED CAPTION & TRANSCRIPT FILES ATTACHED IN FILE.

FEATURING: PROFESSOR FRANK TOUGH, PROFESSOR GEORGE COLPITTS, GABRIEL BAILEY

FILM LOCATIONS: FORT EDMONTON PARK, ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, MANITOBA MUSEUM - HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY GALLERY, UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY

The episode looks at the importance of pemmican on the fur trade and its impact on bison numbers. The York boat crews, the fur trade, and the Hudson's Bay Company as the bison numbers dwindled and the demand for furs declined.

Critical Studies: History. Politics. First Nations. Indigenous. Conservation. Fur trade. Canada. Hudson's Bay Company. Northwest Company. Rupert's Land. Creation of Canada. Anthropology. American History. Archaeology. Canadian History. Canadian Politics. Canadian Social Issues. Documentary. First Nations Studies. Geography. Indigenous Issues. Indigenous Peoples. Nature. World History.

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Episode 3: GREATEST LOSS. FAMINE & PESTILENCE

RUNNING TIME 39:10

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH

SUBTITLES: ENGLISH - EMBEDDED .VTT - SEPARATE CLOSED CAPTION & TRANSCRIPT FILES ATTACHED IN FILE.

FEATURING: BILL WAISER, DR. JAMES DASCHUK

FILM LOCATIONS: FORT BATTLEFORD, SASKATCHEWAN, REGINA

The episode looks at the demise of the bison herds in Canada. The arrival of European settlers and the railroad. The Treaties and the policies of the government include the permit system and the pass system.

Critical Studies: History. Politics. First Nations. Indigenous. Peace and Reconciliation Canada. Anthropology. American History. Archaeology. Canadian History. Canadian Politics. Canadian Social Issues. Documentary. First Nations Studies. Geography. Indigenous Issues. Indigenous Peoples. Nature. World History.

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Episode 4: PABLO ALLARD & EARLY CONSERVATION

RUNNING TIME 35:21

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH

SUBTITLES: ENGLISH - EMBEDDED .VTT - SEPARATE CLOSED CAPTION & TRANSCRIPT FILES ATTACHED IN FILE.

FEATURING: HARVEY LOCKE, LAUREN MARKIEWICZ, JENNIFER BROWER

FILM LOCATIONS: BANFF NATIONAL PARK, WAINWRIGHT DISTRICT MUSEUM, BUD COTTON PADDOCK CAF WAINWRIGHT

The episode looks at how Canada became instrumental in leading bison conservation by purchasing the Pablo Allard herd. Early conservation mistakes and critical moments in Canada's bison conservation efforts to bring a near-extinct species back from the brink.

Critical Studies: History. Politics. First Nations. Indigenous. Conservation. Parks Canada. Pablo Allard herd. Anthropology. American History. Archaeology. Canadian History. Canadian Politics. Canadian Social Issues. Documentary. First Nations Studies. Geography. Indigenous Issues. Indigenous Peoples. Nature. World History. Conservation.

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Episode 5: BERINGIA THE BEGINNING

RUNNING TIME 38.38

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH

SUBTITLES: ENGLISH - EMBEDDED .VTT - SEPARATE CLOSED CAPTION & TRANSCRIPT FILES ATTACHED IN FILE.

FEATURING: PROFESSOR DUANE FROESE, DR. ALWYNNE BEAUDOIN, DR. CHRIS JASS

FILM LOCATIONS: UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, ROYAL ALBERTA MUSEUM

The episode looks at how bison first came to be in North America and evolved to survive other species that went extinct.

Critical Studies: History. Conservation. Archaeology, Palaeontology, Canada. Ice Age. Anthropology. American History. Archaeology. Canadian History. Canadian Politics. Canadian Social Issues. Documentary. First Nations Studies. Geography. Indigenous Issues. Indigenous Peoples. Nature. World History.

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Episode 6: BANFF NATIONAL PARK. BISON RETURN

RUNNING TIME 38:46

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH

SUBTITLES: ENGLISH - EMBEDDED .VTT - SEPARATE CLOSED CAPTION & TRANSCRIPT FILES ATTACHED IN FILE.

FEATURING: DR. LEROY LITTLE BEAR, KARSTEN HEUER, HARVEY LOCKE

FILM LOCATIONS: ELK ISLAND NATIONAL PARK, BANFF NATIONAL PARK, UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE

The episode goes behind the scenes with Parks Canada to learn what was involved in re-introducing bison into Banff National Park.

Critical Studies: Conservation. Canada. Parks Canada. National Parks. First Nations. Anthropology. American History. Archaeology. Canadian History. Canadian Politics. Canadian Social Issues. Documentary. First Nations Studies. Geography. Indigenous Issues. Indigenous Peoples. Nature. World History.

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Episode 7: PARKS CANADA

RUNNING TIME 38:01

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH

SUBTITLES: ENGLISH - EMBEDDED .VTT - SEPARATE CLOSED CAPTION & TRANSCRIPT FILES ATTACHED IN FILE.

FEATURING: MARK EDWARDS, GREGORY WILSON, ROB FOUND, RYAN HAYES, LAWRENCE LAMOUCHE

FILM LOCATIONS: ELK ISLAND NATIONAL PARK, GRASSLANDS NATIONAL PARK

This episode looks at the current work of Parks Canada specifically to do with bison conservation of both the plains and wood bison.

Critical Studies: Conservation, Natural History, First Nations. Anthropology. American History. Archaeology. Canadian History. Canadian Politics. Canadian Social Issues. Documentary. First Nations Studies. Geography. Indigenous Issues. Indigenous Peoples. Nature. World History.

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Episode 8: JUMPS & POUNDS. 

RUNNING TIME 39:57

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH

SUBTITLES: ENGLISH - EMBEDDED .VTT - SEPARATE CLOSED CAPTION & TRANSCRIPT FILES ATTACHED IN FILE.

FEATURING: RANDY BOTTLE, JACK BRINK, BRUCE CUTKNIFE

FILM LOCATIONS: WRITING-ON-STONE PROVINCIAL PARK, HEAD-SMASHED-IN BUFFALO JUMP, WOMEN'S BUFFALO JUMP, BODO ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE & CENTRE

This episode tells the methods First Nations used to hunt the bison on the Northern plains. Historically hundreds of jumps and pounds were skillfully used by First Nations throughout Canada to hunt bison. The episode visits some iconic sites, and we learn about life on the plains.

Critical Studies: First Nations. Bison. History. Canada. Anthropology. American History. Archaeology. Canadian History. Canadian Politics. Canadian Social Issues. Documentary. First Nations Studies. Geography. Indigenous Issues. Indigenous Peoples. Nature. World History.

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Episode 9: BISON OR BUFFALO?

RUNNING TIME 40:19

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH

SUBTITLES: ENGLISH - EMBEDDED .VTT - SEPARATE CLOSED CAPTION & TRANSCRIPT FILES ATTACHED IN FILE.

FEATURING: WES OLSON

FILM LOCATIONS: ELK ISLAND NATIONAL PARK, GRASSLANDS NATIONAL PARK, RIDING MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

This episode tells the physiology and life of bison. Both plains and wood bison are featured, and it is a perfect introduction to learning about North America's largest land mammal.

Critical Studies: Conservation. Natural History. Canada. Anthropology. American History. Archaeology. Canadian History. Canadian Politics. Canadian Social Issues. Documentary. First Nations Studies. Geography. Indigenous Issues. Indigenous Peoples. Nature. World History.

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Episode 10: THE FUTURE & THE SCIENCE OF CONSERVATION

RUNNING TIME 1:01:44

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH

SUBTITLES: ENGLISH - EMBEDDED .VTT - SEPARATE CLOSED CAPTION & TRANSCRIPT FILES ATTACHED IN FILE. 

FEATURING: GREGG ADAMS, MIRANDA ZWIEFELHOFER, GREGORY WILSON, GILLIAN CHOW-FRASER, GORD VAADELAND, DR. LEROY LITTLE BEAR, MARIE-EVE MARCHAND

FILM LOCATIONS: ELK ISLAND NATIONAL PARK, UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN, UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE, BANFF NATIONAL PARK

This episode looks at what the future of bison conservation looks like in Canada and the challenges.

Critical Studies: Conservation, First Nations, Bison Treaty, science, bison genome biobank. Anthropology. American History. Archaeology. Canadian History. Canadian Politics. Canadian Social Issues. Documentary. First Nations Studies. Geography. Indigenous Issues. Indigenous Peoples. Nature. World History. Science.

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Film Locations.

Elk Island National Park, Alberta.

Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan.

Banff National Park, Alberta.

Bodo Archaeological Site & Centre, Bodo, Alberta.

Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba.

Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton, Alberta.

Bud Cotton Buffalo Paddock - CAF Wainwright, Alberta.

Wainwright District Museum, Alberta.

Manitoba Museum - Hudson's Bay Company Gallery, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Lower Fort Garry, Saint Andrews, Manitoba.

Fort Battleford, Battleford, Saskatchewan.

Last Mountain House, Last Mountain Lake, Saskatchewan.

Battle of Seven Oaks site, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump, Alberta.

Old Women’s Buffalo Jump, Cayley, Alberta.

Writing On Stone Provincial Park, Alberta.

Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site, Alberta.

Fort Edmonton, Fort Edmonton Park, Edmonton, Alberta.

Wildrose Convention / Bison Show & Sale, Camrose Regional Exhibition, Alberta.

Interview Roster.

We are very fortunate to have the following persons contribute to the film ( In no particular order ).

Dr. James Daschuk, Ph.D. - the Associate Professor University Of Regina and published author of Clearing The Plains Disease, Politics Of Starvation, And The Loss Of Indigenous Life.

Mr. Bill Waiser, B.A, M.A, Ph.D. - A western Canadian historian and a publisher of over a dozen books, many of which have been recognized with various awards and include. A World We Have Lost: Saskatchewan before 1905

Dr. Leroy Little Bear - Blackfoot researcher, Professor, University of Lethbridge, a founding member of Canada's first Native American Studies Department and recognized leader and advocate for First Nations education, rights, self-governance, language and culture. Was instrumental in the Bison Treaty.

Mr. Dan Fox - Advocate for the bison and Blackfoot cultural revitalization.

Mr. Wes Olson - Bison Management Specialist and retired National Parks Warden for Parks Canada

Mr. Jack Brink - Retired Curator of Archaeology, Royal Alberta Museum & published author: Imagining Head-Smashed-In.

Ms. Courtney Lakevold - Archaeologist, Bodo Archaeological Society.

Ms. Alwynne Beaudoin, Ph.D. - Director Natural History, Royal Alberta Museum.

Mr. Chris Jass, Ph.D. - Curator, Quaternary Paleontology, Royal Alberta Museum.

Mr. Mark Edwards, Ph.D. - Curator, Mammalogy, Royal Alberta Museum.

Professor Duane Froese, Ph.D., MSc, BSc - Faculty of Science, University of Alberta.

Ms. Lauren Markewicz, B.A - Interpretation Supervisor, Parks Canada & public Historian and published author: Like Distant Thunder: Canada's Bison Conservation Story.

Ms. Jennifer Brower - Author - Lost Tracks, Buffalo National Park, 1909 - 1939.

Mr. Matthew Rothenberger - Interpretation Coordinator - Parks Canada - Lower Fort Garry

Mr. Gregory Wilson, Ph.D. - Bison Ecologist, Species Conservation, Parks Canada.

Mr. Rob Found, Ph.D. - Park Ecologist, Elk Island National Park, Parks Canada.

Mr. Ryan Hayes - Bison Coordinator - Grasslands National Park

Ms. Bonnie Spencer - Metis Elder - Metis Nation of Alberta

Professor Frank Tough, Ph.D. - Faculty of Native Studies, University of Alberta.

Professor George Colpitts, Ph.D. - Department of History, University of Calgary & published author: Pemmican Empire: Food, Trade and the Last Bison Hunts in the North American Plains, 1780-1882.

Dr. Maggie Jones, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor, Economics - University of Victoria.

Dr. Donna Feir, Ph.D. -Assistant Professor, Economics - University of Victoria.

Mr. Karsten Heuer - Biologist, Parks Canada Park Ranger & Bison Reintroduction Project Manager, Author.

Mr. Harvey Locke - Conservationist, Writer & Photographer.

Ms. Marie-Eve (Bison Belong ) Marchand - Harvey Locke Conservation Inc, IUCN WCPA Beyond Aichi Task Force VP

Amelia Fay, Ph.D. - Curator of HBC Museum Collection, Manitoba Museum.

Professor Gregg P. Adams DVM, MS, Ph.D., Diplomate ACT, FCAHS - Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan.

Miranda Zwiefelhofer BSc. - Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan.

Randy Bottle - Blackfoot Elder and guide at Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park.

Mr. Brock Silversides. - Author of Fort de Prairies: The Story of Fort Edmonton.

Mr. Terry Kremeniuk - Canadian Bison Association Executive Director.

Mr. Steven Lunty & Mrs. Michelle Lunty - Chair, Bison Producers of Alberta and Canadian Rangeland Bison & Elk Inc.

Mr. Dean Andres - Vice President Sales & Marketing - Rangeland Bison

Mr. Lawrence Lamouche - Traditional Lands Manager - Woodland Cree First Nation

Mr. Gord Vaadeland - Executive Director - CPAWS Saskatchewan.

Ms. Gillian Chow-Fraser - Boreal Programme Manager - CPAWS Northern Alberta.

Karsten Heuer
Karsten Heuer
Harvey Locke
Harvey Locke
Leroy Little Bear
Leroy Little Bear
Marie-Eve Marchand
Marie-Eve Marchand
Wes Olsen
Wes Olsen
James Dashuck
James Dashuck
Ryan Hayes
Ryan Hayes
Amelia Fay
Amelia Fay
Matthew Rothenberger
Matthew Rothenberger
Bill Waiser
Bill Waiser
George Colpitts
George Colpitts
Duanne Froese
Duanne Froese
Lauren Markewicz
Lauren Markewicz
Rob Found
Rob Found
Gregory Wilson
Gregory Wilson
Randy Bottle
Randy Bottle
Frank Tough
Frank Tough
Shawn Bubel & Jack Brink
Shawn Bubel & Jack Brink
Bruce Cutknife
Bruce Cutknife
Miranda Zwiefelhofer & Gregg Adams
Miranda Zwiefelhofer & Gregg Adams
Evert Poor
Evert Poor
Alandra Gillis
Alandra Gillis
Mark Edwards
Mark Edwards
Gord Vaadeland and Gillian Chow-Fraser
Gord Vaadeland and Gillian Chow-Fraser
Courtney Lakevold
Courtney Lakevold

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During filming for the documentary, we were happy to assist the University of Lethbridge with this video. For best viewing experience, be sure to click on the expand icon.
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