How important was the buffalo to the culture of the Plains Indians? In what different ways were the resources of the buffalo used by the Indians? Why is buffalo meat returning to the market today? What is the nutritional value of buffalo meat? Explore these questions and more as we investigate the important role the buffalo played in both Indian culture and on the expedition and learn about the increasing buffalo market on grocery store shelves today.
Contents of the Broadcast:
1. Opening to 3:52--Part 1 provides the introduction, welcome, and orientation to today's topic.
2. 3:52 to 14:50--Part 2 of our program highlights some major facts about the buffalo concerning its size, location, and lifestyle. We also explore the difference between a buffalo and a bison and why we call the bison in North America by the name "buffalo." We also introduce our guest experts, John Beheler from the Saint Joseph Indian School and Dave Hansen from the Triple U Buffalo Ranch.
3. 14:50 to 24:32--In Part 3 of the program, Mr. Beheler talks with students about the role of the buffalo in Indian culture. Students ask questions about a wide range of topics. Topics include: 1) use of the buffalo for tipis, food, and clothing; 2) spiritual aspects of the buffalo; 3) the buffalo hunt; and 4) how Indians followed the buffalo.
4. 24:32 to 40:25-In Part 4 of the program we look at artifacts made from the buffalo. Artifacts are shown and described. Experts talk about how the artifact was made from the buffalo, what purpose it served, and any decorative or artistic considerations. Items include a hide scraper, tail fly swatter, stuffed buffalo, sinew, rattle, rope, parfleche container, bladder bag, and a buffalo hide bowl.
5. 40:25 to 51:58--Part 5 of the program highlights the buffalo today as we talk with Dave Hansen from the Triple U Buffalo Ranch. Video footage is included of the ranch. See the entrance to the range and take a flight in Dave's piper cub to see the terrain of the area and watch the buffalo herd on the move. The video tour also includes the ranch's corral and slaughterhouse. Topics discussed in this section include the operation of the ranch, nutritional value of bison meat, the care and feeding of the bison, relationship between the bison and its environment, location and size of the ranch, and the impact of disease on the bison.
6. 51:58 to End--Our closing segment summarizes major points of today's program and offers insights into a couple of other areas as well. Those new topics include the movement of the buffalo herd over the land, the buffalo's role in Native American creation stories, and the respected place of the buffalo in Plains Indian society. We end with closing comments, topics of upcoming webcasts, thanks, and goodbye
