Posted on Mar 26, 2023
After nearly 200 years, the Yuchi Tribe of Oklahoma reconnects with bison
294
34
3
14
14
0
https://www.npr.org/2023/03/26/ [login to see] /after-nearly-200-years-the-yuchi-tribe-of-oklahoma-reconnects-with-bison
The Yuchi Tribe of Oklahoma received five bison from Denver earlier this month, marking the first time in nearly two centuries that Yuchi people will once again interact with the animal.
"We have an opportunity to connect with them in direct ways and help them on their journey," says Richard Grounds, the executive director of the Yuchi Language Project, which works to create new Yuchi speakers by having fluent elders work with children.
The Yuchi Tribe was one of several to receive bison from the city of Denver, which maintains two conservation herds that are descended from the last wild bison in North America. Since 2018, the city has donated 85 surplus bison — which many, including Indigenous people, commonly call buffalo — to Native American tribes instead of selling them at auction, reflecting a broader effort to return stewardship to Native Americans.
The Yuchi Tribe of Oklahoma received five bison from Denver earlier this month, marking the first time in nearly two centuries that Yuchi people will once again interact with the animal.
"We have an opportunity to connect with them in direct ways and help them on their journey," says Richard Grounds, the executive director of the Yuchi Language Project, which works to create new Yuchi speakers by having fluent elders work with children.
The Yuchi Tribe was one of several to receive bison from the city of Denver, which maintains two conservation herds that are descended from the last wild bison in North America. Since 2018, the city has donated 85 surplus bison — which many, including Indigenous people, commonly call buffalo — to Native American tribes instead of selling them at auction, reflecting a broader effort to return stewardship to Native Americans.
After nearly 200 years, the Yuchi Tribe of Oklahoma reconnects with bison
Posted from npr.org
Wildlife
Native Americans
Denver
Posted 1 y ago
Responses: 3
9
9
0
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel excellent!
..."For example — tens of millions of bison used to live in North America, but by the late 1800s, they had been nearly driven to extinction "through uncontrolled hunting and a U.S. policy of eradication tied to intentional harm against and control of Native American Tribes," according to the Department of the Interior.
Grounds says that as the bison were loaded onto trailers in Denver to be brought back to Oklahoma, the noise of their hooves was thunderous and the scene was "very striking." After nearly 200 years of carrying on the buffalo dance without having them around, "now I get to see how the buffalo dance really goes."
..."For example — tens of millions of bison used to live in North America, but by the late 1800s, they had been nearly driven to extinction "through uncontrolled hunting and a U.S. policy of eradication tied to intentional harm against and control of Native American Tribes," according to the Department of the Interior.
Grounds says that as the bison were loaded onto trailers in Denver to be brought back to Oklahoma, the noise of their hooves was thunderous and the scene was "very striking." After nearly 200 years of carrying on the buffalo dance without having them around, "now I get to see how the buffalo dance really goes."
(9)
(0)
7
7
0
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel good day Brother William, always informational and of the most interesting. Thanks for sharing, have a blessed day!
(7)
(0)
3
3
0
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google