How did the disappearance of bison affect Plains Indigenous peoples in Canada?

The disappearance of the bison had a devastating impact on Plains Indigenous peoples in Canada, as the animal was the cornerstone of their economy and way of life. For generations, bison provided essential resources, including meat for food, hides for clothing and shelter, and materials for tools.12

As bison populations collapsed in the late 19th century due to overhunting and commercial exploitation, Plains nations faced severe starvation. This crisis was exacerbated by the Canadian government, which often failed to fulfill treaty obligations to provide promised food and supplies. Instead, government agents used the withholding of food as a tool of control to force Indigenous peoples onto reservations and compel them to adopt settled agricultural practices.2

The resulting desperation led to significant social and political unrest, including the gathering of thousands of people in 1884 to address their plight and the subsequent events of 1885, which saw leaders like Big Bear and Poundmaker imprisoned as the government solidified its colonial control over the region.2