Today on 7th November 2020 we celebrate National Bison Day. A day dedicated to the American Bison (also known as the American Buffalo) for its historical, cultural, ecological and economic contribution to the United States of America. A mammal that was fundamental to the economy and society of the Plains Indians people, supplying them with the necessities to survive and live, as well as being regarded as a sacred animal and religious symbol amongst most Native American Indian tribes.
A breath taking and magnificent beast that once roamed the grasslands of North America in numbers in excess of 60 million in the late 18th Century, before being callously hunted by white settlers and the US Government to almost extinction by 1884 with only around 325 remaining in the wild. Its fair to say it is an animal which is rich in the USA’s history for both great and tragic reasons, but thankfully now due to conservation efforts made by many, about 500,000 bison populate all 50 states living in national parks, refuges, tribal and private lands.
On May 9, 2016, President Obama signed the National Bison Legacy Act into law, officially making the American bison the national mammal of the United States. A more than fitting tribute to an animal that has been one of the longest inhabitants of the United States, which played such a tragic and momentous part in the settling of the west.
Here at SACANTICS we want to take this time and day to show our appreciation to this significant mammal, and celebrate the Buffalo/Bison which varies in representing sacredness, life, great strength, abundance, gratitude, consistency, blessings and stability when used as a spirit guide/power animal/totem amongst some Native American Indian tribes.
Long live the Buffalo.
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