The Blessing of the Bison
By: Angelica Alvarez, WMBD/WYZZ TV
Updated: April 18, 2009
WMBD/WYZZ TV - HANNA CITY -- The bison grounds at Wildlife Prairie State Park are now blessed and ready for summer.
This morning, the local Native American community gathered for the 15th Annual Ceremonial Blessing of the bison pasture. This event marks the start of the summer season at the park as well as the return on the bison and elk to their summer pasture.
Brenda Pluskwich with park says, "It's something that people need to learn a little bit more about what was here in the United States before everybody else, was the Native American culture."
The 2,000 acre park is home to many animals native to Illinois, including wolves, waterfowl and black bears. Ameren representatives were also at the park sharing tips on being green in preparation for Earth Day on Wednesday. And thanks to the park's friends from Wal-Mart, they were able to plant a fruit tree to give the park and its animals a little something extra.
