This Government of Manitoba article describes how glaciers helped to form bison rubbing stones. So how did these great big rocks end up in the middle of the prairie? Bison rubbine stones are what geologists call "erratics". Erratic stones are defined as rocks that are differenet compositionally from the rocks that form the surface on which they are found. Erratics were moved from their original homes by the formation of the glaciers thousands of years ago. As the ice formed it ripped chunks of stone and gravel from the earth and carried them across the landscape. Several thousand years later, the glaciers started melting. When the glacier was no longer able to carry the weight of the boulder, it was simply dropped. They were left scattered over the landscape, some the size of fieldstones, some car-sized and others as big as a house.

The Buffalo: A Treaty of Co-operation, Renewal and Restoration.

This site offers the history of this Treaty, the relationships it involves, related films and news articles and access to the Buffalo Treaty blog.

This video explores the return of buffalo through First Nations sharing and gifts. This is a great resource when exploring Indigenous agriculture and the impact of settlement on Indigenous agriculture.

Honouring the Buffalo: A Plains Cree Legend is a useful educational tool for social studies/treaty and language arts/literacy curriculum teaching. Included on the website is a resource guide, educational guide (questions), audio recordings, and curricular connections. There is a book trailer as well as an exerpt in English and in Cree.

"These lesson plans relate to Indigenous ways of knowing and being through building relationships to the natural world and understanding the past in order to foster healing and resiliency. Some lessons demonstrate how Indigenous knowledge can support a deeper understanding of the land and the changes that are a result of climate change. Others are focused on remembering ancestors, understanding treaties and exploring culture through traditional land-based practices (such as hunting, gathering medicines, weaving, drumming, shelter building, tree tapping, etc.)."
*politics
*bison, butterflies, caribou
*interdependence
*drum, flute, elements of art, weaving
*creation stories
*Indigenous stories
*land learning
*land based education
*gum tea, spruce, maple syrup, salmon, medicine walk
*colonialism
*seasons
*coding
*elders
*Inuit naming, igloos
*resilience
*Sacred water
*circle
& More

Why were bison essential to people living on the plains, prior to the time of Treaty negotiations (1870s)? What does the bison represent today? This LIVE Arts broadcast features contemporary artwork and storytelling by Métis artist Leah Marie Dorion, based on her children's book, "Métis Camp Circle: A Bison Culture Way of Life." Leah reads from the book, discusses the importance of bison (past and present), explains the use of Métis symbolism and discuss the composition and design of the illustrations. Leah guides students through a live drawing activity where they learn to draw and paint a bison as inspired by Leah's particular style of creating and imagery.

This project is best completed prior to reading the novel, Mistasiniy:  Buffalo Rubbing Stone by Mary Harelkin Bishop to avoid influence of references in the text.  The original size of the Lake Diefenbaker mistasiniy is introduced in the novel's preface, while the size of the mistasiniy on Danny’s family’s land is mentioned on page 109 as part of Rose’s diary.   Students will work individually on a math inquiry problem challenging students to solve questions using estimation, approximations, geometry, analytical thinking, creative thinking, communication, and technology skills. Cross-curricular connections can be made with ELA, Social Studies, Science, and Arts Education. More information on bison/buffalo rubbing stones 

All Nations Hope Network, Saskatchewan has created a resource for the sacred story of the Mistasiniy including background information into story telling from generation to generation. The atayohkewina (sacred story) is presented with both English and Cree.
The sacred telling of Buffalo Child, is a living narrative of how Buffalo Child stone (Mistasiniy) came into being. We follow the life story of a little boy called Buffalo Child, as he transitions into manhood within the embrace of his buffalo family. In this âtayôhkewina - sacred story, we trace Buffalo Child’s transformation as a human and into a four legged being, finally his manifestation into stone. The sacred telling ends in the demise of Mistasiniy.

This activity explores the role of the buffalo in the lives of the American Indians of the northern Plains. For centuries, the American bison--commonly called the buffalo--has been revered by various Native American peoples. The buffalo still plays a central role in many American Indian cultures. Stories passed from generation to generation--by spoken word and by pictures painted on animal hides--record the history of American Indians and the buffalo.

Website sections include:
- You be the historian
- What can you make from a buffalo?
- Background Information
More about the buffalo hide painting
Meet the artist
Map of the Plains Indians
- Classroom Materials
Make your own buffalo hide painting
Student worksheet
Teacher guide