Outdoor Learning Conference 2026

The grasslands and slopes of Mînî Rhpa (Banff) were once home to the area’s largest land mammal, tatâga (Bison). Yet the pressure from the National Park system and Western hunting practices attempted to disconnect the animal as well as the Îyethka Nakoda people from the landscape. As tatâga are reintroduced to Banff National Park, so too are their lessons of resilience, respect, reciprocity and community.


Join Tracey Stevens, proud member of the Îyethka Nakoda Nation, and Heidi Widmer (Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley) as they share lessons of tatâga from both an Indigenous and Western science perspective. The pair of presenters look forward to sharing their message: we are stronger together.


In this workshop, Tracey and Heidi will share stories from their experiences teaching children about tatâga, lead you in an outdoor game, make a necklace craft and engage you in conversations revolving around the collaborative, resilient, connected and generous animal teacher.