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Joining the Herd: For Students and Teachers
Joining the Herd: A Handbook on Participating in Manitoba's Government (grades 6, 9 and 11) (2007)
Why the bison theme?
By the time Manitoba became a province in 1870, the great herds of American Bison that once roamed the prairies had all but disappeared. The bison symbol, however, continues to represent Manitoba and its earliest beginnings. For example:
- Manitoba's first official coat of arms, granted in 1905, showcased a bison standing on a rock
- A pair of bronze life-sized bison flank the grand stairway in the legislative building
- Since 1957 the province has honoured individuals who have made a distinctive contribution to the life of Manitoba with the Order of the Buffalo Hunt
- The Province of Manitoba adopted a stylized bison as its logo in 1984
The Manitoba Ombudsman's Office has also adopted a bison theme to represent the process of learning about, and participating in, Manitoba's government. Joining the Herd (2007) and Joining the Herd II (2011) assists teachers and students in their journeys to active and informed citizenship. Students who have "joined the herd" are aware of how Manitoba's government works and understand how they can participate in it.
For more information on Joining the Herd, or to arrange a presentation for your classroom, please contact Shelley Penziwol at 204-982-9135 (Winnipeg) or 1-800-665-0531 (toll free in Manitoba).
