Medicine Lodge Confederacy Buffalo Project

The Arikara Creation Story starts from the beginning of the universe then continues through to the migration of the Arikara people from South America to present day North Dakota. The Arikara followed the voice of Mother Corn, which is the female aspect of the Creator, who directed them to go on a journey. When the Arikara came onto the plains they met the first buffalo. The Arikara have a story that specifically tells how the Arikara changed the buffalo and how the buffalo changed the Arikara. The story advises the Arikara how to use the Buffalo to sustain them on the plains physically and spiritually. When the Arikara butcher a buffalo these stories are retold to remind the people of this sacred relationship. The stories direct the people on how to butcher and what parts are never to be eaten and how to pray with the buffalo. The buffalo sustained the Arikara for the thousands of years while they lived on the plains before European contact. According to US Fish and Wildlife Service there was an estimate of 30,000 to 60,000 bison before European contact and by 1890 there were less than 1,000 buffalo. The Arikara have a high rate of illnesses for example diabetes and heart disease, which are directly related to the foods that are eaten today. The Medicine Lodge Confederacy Buffalo Project will reinstitute the teachings of the buffalo in order to bring back the physical and spiritual health to not only the Arikara but the land, ecosystem, animal life and the entire human family. The buffalo are uniquely adapted to the plains environment and are naturally able to shelter through the harsh North Dakota winters as well as to calve without assistance from ranchers. The buffalo eat different grasses at different times which enhances the root system and helps to restore the ecosystem. This plant rotation actually promotes biodiversity of both plants and animals. The buffalo require less water then domestic cattle and they have less fat which gives them nutrient dense lean protein which is much healthier then cattle. This scientific information verifies what the Airkara have always known that there is a symbiotic relationship between the buffalo, people and the ecosystem. The United States passed the National Bison Legacy Act May 9, 2016 which adopted the Bison as the National mammal of the United States. The Bison and Native American tribes are intrinsically connected. The bison were slaughtered in the 1860’s intentionally depriving Native Americans of their major food source. However Native American’s never forgot the buffalo and have passed down the stories to ensure that respect is given to them. There are many people and organizations who came together to bring back the buffalo and bring awareness to the benefits that they have to the ecosystem. The buffalo is represented in the stars and can bring great spiritual guidance to the human family. When the human family takes care of the buffalo, they will help to restore health to the world.

Goal: $0

Raised: $0

Progress: 0 %

The Arikara Creation Story starts from the beginning of the universe then continues through to the migration of the Arikara people from South America to present day North Dakota. The Arikara followed the voice of Mother Corn, which is the female aspect of the Creator, who directed them to go on a journey. When the Arikara came onto the plains they met the first buffalo. The Arikara have a story that specifically tells how the Arikara changed the buffalo and how the buffalo changed the Arikara. The story advises the Arikara how to use the Buffalo to sustain them on the plains physically and spiritually. When the Arikara butcher a buffalo these stories are retold to remind the people of this sacred relationship. The stories direct the people on how to butcher and what parts are never to be eaten and how to pray with the buffalo. The buffalo sustained the Arikara for the thousands of years while they lived on the plains before European contact. According to US Fish and Wildlife Service there was an estimate of 30,000 to 60,000 bison before European contact and by 1890 there were less than 1,000 buffalo. The Arikara have a high rate of illnesses for example diabetes and heart disease, which are directly related to the foods that are eaten today. The Medicine Lodge Confederacy Buffalo Project will reinstitute the teachings of the buffalo in order to bring back the physical and spiritual health to not only the Arikara but the land, ecosystem, animal life and the entire human family.

The buffalo are uniquely adapted to the plains environment and are naturally able to shelter through the harsh North Dakota winters as well as to calve without assistance from ranchers. The buffalo eat different grasses at different times which enhances the root system and helps to restore the ecosystem. This plant rotation actually promotes biodiversity of both plants and animals. The buffalo require less water then domestic cattle and they have less fat which gives them nutrient dense lean protein which is much healthier then cattle. This scientific information verifies what the Airkara have always known that there is a symbiotic relationship between the buffalo, people and the ecosystem.

The United States passed the National Bison Legacy Act May 9, 2016 which adopted the Bison as the National mammal of the United States. The Bison and Native American tribes are intrinsically connected. The bison were slaughtered in the 1860’s intentionally depriving Native Americans of their major food source. However Native American’s never forgot the buffalo and have passed down the stories to ensure that respect is given to them. There are many people and organizations who came together to bring back the buffalo and bring awareness to the benefits that they have to the ecosystem. The buffalo is represented in the stars and can bring great spiritual guidance to the human family. When the human family takes care of the buffalo, they will help to restore health to the world.