The Buffalo
“We are the Ancient Ones who have returned for our people (ALL people). Once we filled their bellies, sheltered their bodies and taught their Spirits... We have returned.”
At one time, not that long ago, 60 million buffalo roamed free and in harmony with nature across America. The Native American on the western plains relied on “Tatanka” for all aspects of their lives. Knowing this, the U.S. Government ordered all the buffalo to be eliminated during the Indian Wars of the 1800’s. Outside of a few in the mountains around Yellowstone Park and some in captivity, they nearly succeeded. With the passing of the buffalo, life on every level of the ecosystem and the lives of the Native People and all people would change forever.
The Pryor Mountains and rolling plains beyond, still carry the marks of the millions of buffalo that migrated through its ecosystem in buffalo wallows, horn caps, bones and the stories the local Native tell of their childhood adventures. The buffalo held such dominion over the plains, self sustaining and a role model/teacher for us today.
We have found that the natural ‘hoof action’ and migration habits of the buffalo have been the most significant contributor to on-the-ground restoration and maintenance of the native grasses, stream, riparian and natural spring systems, and wildlife habitat,
Experts in soil, water and grass conservation and restoration are provided new understanding and expanded realizations when they observe how the animals restore the land through their natural life cycle, doing what buffalo do. Fences provide the opportunity to accelerate and expand this process. Fence construction allows concentration of grazing on degraded pastures, maximizing the restoration process of all the lands available.
