Bison

---

I don’t know the first time I heard that particular history - the one about the bison, numbering in the millions, roaming the grasslands of the western United States. I can’t tell you, either, when I learned of the way that they were hunted nearly to extinction for sport and profit.

In my mind I imagine it must have been like seeing the prairie shift, from brimming with life to barren. And though I cannot ever know the grief felt by the native peoples who relied upon the bison in uncountable ways, my heart hurts for their loss. How much of the spirit of this land died along with the great herds?

But, perhaps all is not lost.

About twenty miles north of our house, tucked up against the Wyoming border, sits a natural area where a herd of bison roam. They are genetically pure - meaning that there has been no cross-breeding with cattle, as is the case with most bison herds today - and were reintroduced to this once-native-habitat six years ago with the hopes that they might begin to restore the balance that was lost.

Since the reintroduction, the herd of ten has become a herd of one hundred - thriving, of course, because this is exactly where they’re meant to be. In fact, they have done so well that the program has been able to send animals to other conservation and tribal herds, so bison numbers can continue to rise. 

The best word I can think of to describe these animals and the people who are fighting for their future is

Strong.

Because to survive in this environment, you have to be. To be able to look at the wrongs you’ve done, and strive to do better, you have to be. To insist on holding space for wild things and sacred traditions and the possibility of a brighter future, you have to be. 

Bison says
You can,
You are,
You will be.
.
.
.
Original watercolor painting (6”x8”) available Saturday, December 11 at 12pm Mountain Time!

Also, a note - if/when this painting finds a new home, I’ll be donating a chunk of the profits to help keep these bison neighbors of mine living their best lives!