Bison make comeback in the US thanks to indigenous tribes

In a scene reminiscent of the past, herds of American bison can be seen roaming across the plains of the United States. Animal numbers fell to close to 1,000 in 1889 due to indiscriminate hunting, but today they are bouncing back thanks to indigenous tribes.

Around 82 tribes in the United States and Canada have close to 20,000 bison in 65 herds as part of a repopulation program aimed at restoring their ancestral connection with the animals. In just two years, the InterTribal Buffalo Council has reintroduced 1,000 bison to an 11,300-hectare area on the border of Nebraska and South Dakota.

The tribes also harvest the bison, just as their ancestors did. The meat of the animal is distributed among the entire tribe via a special program, while the bones are boiled to extract broth. Through this system, indigenous tribes are seeking to reaffirm their sovereignty and gain food security sustainably.