The buffalo's importance cannot be understated. Used for a multitude activities such as, hunting, cooking, sewing, clothing, prayer, art, and celebrations. Every part of the buffalo is used by the Lakota people. The Lakota will used the tanned hide for moccasins, cradles, tipi covers, winter robes, dresses, shirts and pants. The muscles were used for sinew, and meats for jerky. Tail was used for decorations, fly brushes, and whips. The buffalo fats were made into soaps and cooking. Bones were created into knives, arrow heads, shovels, scrapers, winter sleds, war dice, and game dice. Many of the Lakota used the hooves for glue and rattles. The stomach played a important role into making buckets, cups, dishes, cooking pots. Hair was used for head dresses, saddle pads, pillows, rope, and halters. There was uses for all parts of the buffalo, and how their way of life. The Tatanka also meaning “he who owns”. Birgil Kills Straight was once quoted saying “the four legged came before the two legged. They are our brother, who came from them, before them. We were the root people, we came from them, we are the same thing. This is why we are spiritually related to them. We call them in our language, 'Tatanka', which means ' he who owns us'. We cannot say that we own the buffalo because he owns us”. When talking about Oglala Lakota College's first buffalo hunt, Stephanie Two Crow states, “the buffalo ceremony is very important. We are a living history of our culture and our traditions, preservation lives on through us. The buffalo ceremony is just one of those daily survival skills we possess” The Native American's were outstanding hunters, using many different techniques to hunt. Some hunters used techniques such as dressing into furs to stalk the buffalo. Others used a technique of driving herds of buffalo over a steep cliff, at times 70 ft high. Driving the buffalo over the cliff would either cause the buffalo to have a sudden death, or breaking their back. Other hunters would be waiting at the bottom of the cliff to finish the kill, using the buffalo for their useful products. The buffalo hunts were closely monitored by the leaders, making sure nothing went to waste.
During the late 1800's, buffalo started their rapid decline in population. Having many factors playing a role on the near extinction such as, fires, disease, drought, and climate. The main factor was the commodities market. These markets were in search for buffalo hides, tongues, and meats. With the railroad being a fast means of transportation, it was able to supply the hides and other goods fast and cheap. Hunters wasted almost 5 times the amount they used from the buffalo. In a span of 3 years, nearly 5 million bison were slaughtered. Now 100 years later, buffalo have started to make it back from the brink of extinction. Many of the buffalo herds make their life at Yellowstone National Park and also private ownership. Having uncertainty of the existence of buffalo outside Yellowstone National Park. In 1894, Theodore Roosevelt put the first federal legislation in order, to help protect the buffalo. Killing would be a fine of $1000.00 dollars and/or imprisonment. As of today 500,000 Bison roam North America, not nearly as many of before, but starting to make a come back.
KayLee Parson is the author of the Oglala Lakota College's, Lakota Medicine Wheel blog. KayLee is a first year student at Oglala Lakota College, but previously attended National American University. KayLee is pursuing her degree in Social Science. KayLee is an adventurous native to Rapid City, SD. Born and raised in Rapid City, she fall in love with the scenery and people. She enjoys hiking, writing, and being with her family. KayLee is also a lover of arts, poetry, and outdoor activities.