Bison Return to Texas Indigenous Lands

Bison Return to Texas Indigenous Lands

“As discussed below, efforts are underway to restore bison to native lands in Texas, and elsewhere.

 

NOTE: this article was originally published to TexasTribune.org on November 13, 2023. It was written by Alejandra Martinez.

 

Indigenous ranchers in Texas are receiving help from nonprofits to rebuild bison herds in the state. One family in Sulphur Springs that received five bison last month invited Texas tribal members to see the herd in person.

 

Theda Pogue, 45, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, poses for a portrait on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at GP Ranch in Sulphur Springs, Texas. She hosted a blessing ceremony for three, gifted herds of bison on National Bison Day. One herd was recently transferred from Colorado with the help of the Tanka Fund, a Native American-led nonprofit organization and the Nature Conservancy to revitalize buffalo populations and provide resources for Native ranchers and producers.
A herd of bison gifted to Theda Pogue, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, and her family, graze at GP Ranch on Saturday, November 4, 2023 in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Part of the herd was recently transferred from Colorado with the help of the Tanka Fund, a Native American-led nonprofit organization and the Nature Conservancy to revitalize buffalo populations and provide resources for Native ranchers and producers. The Pogue family hosted a blessing ceremony to welcome the herd.
From left, Chris Pogue, 43, Rowdy Pogue, 20, affiliated with the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, Skylar Gainer, 26, affiliated with the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, and Theda Pogue, 45, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, receive a blessing from Reverend Eric Thlocco, member of Tokvbvche Methodist Church and affiliated with the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, (right) during a ceremony for three herds of bison gifted to the family on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at GP Ranch in Sulphur Springs, Texas.

Bison nearly died out

 

People, including tribe members, line up for a meal following a blessing ceremony for the three herds of bison gifted to Theda Pogue, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, and her family on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at GP Ranch in Sulphur Springs, Texas. The meal included three cuts of bison meat prepared by Curtis Fulgham, 43, chef at Social Lounge.
People line up for a meal featuring bison meat following a blessing ceremony for the bison. Credit: Desiree Rios for The Texas Tribune
Reverend Eric Thlocco, 49, member of Tokvbvche Methodist Church and affiliated with the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, and Deacon Wendell Reschke, 53, member of Tokvbvche Methodist Church and affiliated with the Seminole Creek Nation of Oklahoma, (left to right) witness three herds of bison gifted to Theda Pogue, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, and her family on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at GP Ranch in Sulphur Springs, Texas. The two men arrived to partake in a blessing ceremony welcoming the herds on National Bison Day.
Rev. Eric Thlocco and Deacon Wendell Reschke of Tokvbvche Methodist Church in Oklahoma watch the bison at GP Ranch in Sulphur Springs. Credit: Desiree Rios for The Texas Tribune
Pastor Paul Fixico, 70, member of Tokvbvche Methodist Church and affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Tribe of Oklahoma, (center) prays during a blessing ceremony for three herds of bison gifted to Theda Pogue, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, and her family on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at GP Ranch in Sulphur Springs, Texas.

Pastor Paul Fixico, member of Tokvbvche Methodist Church and affiliated with the Muscogee (Creek) Tribe of Oklahoma, prays during a blessing ceremony for the bison gifted to Theda Pogue. Credit: Desiree Rios for The Texas Tribune

 

Bison preservation

Inline article image

Left: An attendee carries a meal with bison meat and sides. Center: Theda Pogue and her husband Chris Pogue. “This herd is for us to share with our younger generations who will know what our ancestors have gone through,” Theda Pogue said. Right: Pogue wears a silver necklace with a buffalo pendant at the ceremony. Credit: Desiree Rios for The Texas Tribune

 

Passing down the bison’s cultural legacy

People, including tribe members, eat a meal following a blessing ceremony for the three herds of bison gifted to Theda Pogue, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, and her family on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at GP Ranch in Sulphur Springs, Texas. The meal included three cuts of bison meat prepared by Curtis Fulgham, 43, chef at Social Lounge.
People share a meal at the Pogues’ ranch following the blessing ceremony for the bison. Credit: Desiree Rios for The Texas Tribune
Andrea Poncho, 51, affiliated with the Alabama–Coushatta Tribe of Texas, (center) shows her sons, Waylon Poncho, 7, (left) and Gunnar Poncho, 6, (right) a display of various ways bison is utilized on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at GP Ranch in Sulphur Springs, Texas.The display was used to educate those who attended a blessing ceremony for three herds of bison gifted to Theda Pogue, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, and her family on National Bison Day. One herd was recently transferred from Colorado with the help of the Tanka Fund, a Native American-led nonprofit organization and the Nature Conservancy to revitalize buffalo populations and provide resources for Native ranchers and producers.
Andrea Poncho, affiliated with the Alabama–Coushatta Tribe of Texas, shows her sons Waylon and Gunnar a table displaying the various ways bison can be utilized. Credit: Desiree Rios for The Texas Tribune
People, including tribe members, load onto a pickup truck and hay ride following a blessing ceremony for three herds of bison gifted to Theda Pogue, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, and her family on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at GP Ranch in Sulphur Springs, Texas.

Spectators loaded into a pickup truck and trailer with hay bales to see the bison at GP Ranch in Sulphur Springs. Credit: Desiree Rios for The Texas Tribune

 

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