For hundreds of years, American buffalo have been an important part of the spiritual and cultural lives of indigenous peoples, and a vital component of the Great Plains ecosystem which extends from Canada to Texas. But when settlers learned how Native Americans depended on the buffalo for survival, they eradicated tribes by killing off the herds. Within a few decades, bison that once numbered over 30 million were on the verge of extinction. In the early 90s, a group of tribes formed the InterTribal Buffalo Council to restore bison populations on native lands. By sustainably managing buffalo herds, they are staying connected to their culture and ensuring the long-term conservation of the species. Visit itbcbuffalonation.org/ to contribute to their mission.
Up Next in Season 1
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Wasps
Everybody hates wasps, but what if they were the secret to our survival? Wasps are feared for being able to sting multiple times and many people believe they provide no environmental service. Yet in the future, our food security could rely on them. As we begin to see the decline of bees, wasps ar...
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Cows
Over five million stray cows walk the streets of India. This creates health risks, not just for the animals, but for the people who deeply cherish them. Hindu communities in this region believe that cows are sacred and seek to protect them. But extreme poverty means that not all families can affo...
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Ravens
Are ravens bad omens, or are these birds simply misunderstood? Depends on who you ask. Because they scavenge and feed on carrion, they’re often linked to death. Yet the common raven is associated with life in many Native American cultures. According to the Tlingit people, long ago when the land w...
