Celebrating our national mammal

Photo credit: Jamie H Wellik.

Buffalo are one of the few animals truly tied to the identity of North America. Their movement once shaped millions of acres of grasslands, creating pathways, nourishing soil, dispersing seeds, and supporting countless other species.

It isn’t any wonder (although long overdue) that the Buffalo was named the nation’s mammal. This year marks the 10th anniversary of that recognition through the National Bison Legacy Act. President Barack Obama signed the bipartisan act into law on May 9, 2016, officially recognizing the American bison as a historic symbol of the United States.

As part of this distinction, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History opened an exhibit called Bison: Standing Strong, featuring history, anthropological objects, scientific specimens, and art. In addition, three larger-than-life bronze Buffalo statues, created by sculptor Gary Staab, traveled on a weeklong cross-country journey from a foundry in Colorado to their permanent residence at the National Mall entrance of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Tanka Fund supporter Jamie H. Wellik traveled alongside the statues documenting the journey, and even stopped by our office for giveaway items to hand out at a Buffalo gathering event in Allen, SD.

With May 9 officially kicking off “Bison-tennial” celebrations, more events are taking place throughout the year and across the nation — honoring the enduring significance of Buffalo to the land, Native communities, and the layered history woven across North America over the last 250 years.

Photo credit: Jamie H Wellik.