Photo courtesy Kinistin Saulteaux First Nation
A unique fundraiser will be taking place on the Kinistin Saulteaux First Nation in April as they will be putting on the first ever bison hunt raffle in Saskatchewan.
One lucky hunter will have a chance to shoot a mature bull and will get to keep the head, hide and half of the meat. The other half will be donated to elders and community members.
The idea came about as a way to raise money for underfunded health and youth programs on the reserve, and also for the Salvation Army in Melfort and Tisdale as some Kinistin members do rely on services the Salvation Army offers.
Land Manager Cecil Thomas says the entire community is behind the fundraising venture. He says that before the idea went to Chief and Council for approval, the bison manager went to talk with all the elders in the community and followed proper traditional protocols like offering tobacco in exchange for their advice. Since only one bison will be taken down, there were objections to having the hunt take place.
Thomas says bison are considered livestock and not wildlife like deer or moose, so there were no concerns from SaskEnvironment or the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation.
Similar hunt raffles have taken place in Alaska and Montana, but this is the first of its kind in Saskatchewan.
To date, 595 tickets have been sold. The draw date set for March 24 and the hunt scheduled for April 1st.
More information is available about the bison hunt raffle by calling the Kinistin Band Office at (306) 878-8188.