Buffalo: Resource and Spiritual Symbol — Reading Comprehension

The buffalo, also known as the American bison, was central to the cultures and survival of many Native American nations on the Great Plains. These massive animals provided not only food, but also materials for clothing, shelter, and tools. For the Lakota and other Plains tribes, the buffalo was more than just a source of subsistence; it was a spiritual symbol representing life, abundance, and the interconnectedness of all living things.

Native Americans developed a sustainable relationship with the buffalo, using nearly every part of the animal. Bones became tools and weapons, hides were turned into tepees and clothing, and sinew was used for thread. This reciprocal relationship reflected a worldview in which people respected nature and took only what was needed. As one Lakota elder explained, "The buffalo was our life. Without it, we were nothing." This primary source quote shows the depth of connection and reliance Native nations felt for the buffalo, both materially and spiritually.

In contrast, Euro-American settlers and the U.S. government viewed the buffalo primarily as a resource to be exploited. Driven by expansion and the desire for land, settlers saw the vast herds as an obstacle to farming and railroad construction. Commercial hunters killed millions of buffalo in the 1800s to supply hides for industrial markets. The U.S. government even encouraged large-scale slaughter, believing that by destroying the buffalo, they could force Native Americans onto reservations and weaken their independence. This policy caused drastic changes on the Plains.

The consequences of the buffalo slaughter were devastating. By the 1880s, fewer than 1,000 buffalo remained from herds that once numbered in the tens of millions. The near-extinction of the buffalo led to severe disruption of Native American life. Many communities faced hunger, loss of cultural practices, and the breakdown of traditional ways. While some settlers benefited from new economic opportunities, Native nations suffered deep cultural and spiritual losses.

Despite these hardships, Native Americans found ways to adapt. Some worked to preserve their traditions, even as they were forced onto reservations. Others joined efforts in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to protect and restore buffalo populations. Conservationists and tribal groups began to establish herds on protected lands, recognizing the buffalo's ecological and cultural importance. This renewed relationship required collaboration and a recognition of past injustices.

Today, the buffalo is once again a symbol of resilience for Native nations. Tribal-led conservation projects have helped bring the buffalo back to the plains, and ceremonies honoring the animal are being revived. This history demonstrates both the destructive power of exploitation and the possibility of restoration through respect and cooperation. 

Interesting Fact: At their peak, buffalo herds could stretch for miles and shake the ground as they moved, earning the nickname "thunder of the plains."

What was the buffalo also called?

Which tribe is mentioned for its buffalo culture?

By the 1880s, how many buffalo remained?

Why did the U.S. government encourage buffalo slaughter?

What is a reciprocal relationship?

What effect did buffalo loss have on Native Americans?

Buffalo herds once shook the ground. True or false?

What does 'restoration' mean in the passage?