Big Buzz around bison land was the release of Ken Burn’s Public Broadcasting Systems (PBS) documentary on bison. If you have not watched, at least make the second two hours- the first two hours on the mass slaughter is a bit more of telling the well known horror. However, the second two hours is an in depth study of the beginning of the recovery (and I was very pleasantly surprised at how many of the still pictures used in it are “residents” of our historical archives). It does seem to stop about the 1950’s, but getting to know the myriad of people involved in keeping bison alive, and their interaction, is important foundation work for what is continuing today.
I was pleased to see both Steven Rinella and Dan O’Brien having commentary and on screen presence. They are, in my never so humble opinion, both “experts” … hands-on experts that learned bison both by doing and by studying. They are well worthy of having their views put forth more broadly. Now that said, Steven’s “American Buffalo, In Search of a Lost Icon” and Dan’s “Buffalo for the Broken Heart” and “Wild Idea : Buffalo & Family in a Difficult Land” are absolute must reads if you want more depth. Great reads. Please keep in mind that both gents have a much longer list of titles to their credit, not all of which I have read, but these I wholeheartedly recommend and encourage. I do have some copies of all three books mentioned available on the website and in the store library.
If you would like a more “right now” picture of what bison restoration and the American bison herd – including all phases – native, conservation, commercial and governmental – spend a little time with “Meet My Neighbor/Yanasa Production - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC60fxBZhfGR0yYtveRmPJNg. Shawna and Charlie Rankin. Their “NATIVE | The Prodigies of an Icon, will be the most complete, most engaging, most eye opening and unbiased documentary on the American bison ever! Filming and editing are on going, supported by all factions of the bison community. https://nativemovie.com/ The trailers give you some snippets of what is already in the film can… and more coming. Enjoy (and feel encouraged to also support their work)!
You all (especially if you have read down this far) play a very important role in bison restoration; bison education and the future of bison. Without public interest ... whether in viewing eating, wearing, discussion or sharing - things disappear. So thank you all for continuing what so few thought important just a hundred plus years ago. Thank you.
Cecil
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