2023-11-04 10:52:30
GRAND FORKS — It’s National Bison Day, set aside by U.S. Senate resolution to honor the legacy of an animal that North Dakota Tourism Director Sara Otte Coleman calls “an icon” for the state.
“The bison roamed these lands long before the United States and before North Dakota was formed. Because of that, we have such rich history and stories to tell,” Otte Coleman said. “As much as Americans are interested in the bison and buffalo, it’s even stronger within the global marketing area. What they want to see when they come to this part of the country is the bison and the native herds and the national parks.”
And with the release of a new documentary produced by Ken Burns — “The American Buffalo,” which was partially filmed in the state — North Dakota bison are grabbing even more of the national spotlight.
National Bison Day, which recognizes the animal’s history and importance, comes on the first Saturday in November each year. Sens. John Hoeven, R-N.D., and Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico,
to name Nov. 4, 2023, National Bison Day, had a slew of reasons to continue the traditional recognition. Among them were the bison’s “important role in the health of the wildlife, landscapes and grasslands of the United States.”
Burns’ “The American Buffalo” covers the bison’s history, its near extinction and its importance to Indigenous people and the Great Plains. The film also features North Dakotans: historian Clay Jenkinson from Bismarck and Gerard Baker, a Mandan-Hidatsa member who is the first Native American to serve as superintendent of Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota. The soundtrack also was made in North Dakota, by
in Bismarck.
“National Bison Day commemorates our national mammal and the significant role that bison have played throughout our nation’s history,” Hoeven said in a statement. “Our resolution honors the significant role the bison plays not only across the west, but throughout North America. As a symbol of strength and resilience, the bison reflects the pioneering spirit shown by Americans throughout our history.”
Hoeven and Heinrich both were responsible for the
bison being named the United States’ national mammal
through the 2016 National Bison Legacy Act. The bipartisan bill also recognized the bison’s historical, economical and cultural significance and its importance as a sacred and spiritual symbol of Native American tribes and heritage.
For North Dakota, the animal also holds significance for the state’s tourism and reputation. When North Dakota Tourism’s social media posts include bison imagery, Otte Coleman said they get better engagement.
The Department of Tourism has a buffalo trails tour through the state and parts of South Dakota, with key point destinations for visitors to see. Various herds, from Theodore Roosevelt National Park to tribal ranches, draw in tourists who want to see the animals in person. Museums and statues, like the 60-ton, 26-foot-tall Dakota Thunder sculpture in Jamestown, also serve as good stopping points and photo opportunities.
Otte Coleman also touted the culinary side of bison tourism.
“We often get people who want to eat food that is more native to North Dakota, and so we’re lucky to have a lot of different restaurants that do feature bison burgers, bison steaks, medallions and whatnot,” she said. “I think the public awareness of that is increasing and that’s sought following, too.”
Otto is a recent University of North Dakota graduate and reporter at the Herald.
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