This week, on All My Children Wear Fur Coats, Justine Sanchez and Dallas Gudgell discussed the importance of preserving wild bison and advocated for indigenous sovereignty over bison management.
Justine Sanchez and Dallas Gudgell are the president and vice president, respectively, of Buffalo Field Campaign. Buffalo Field Campaign is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and documenting the ongoing mistreatment of wild bison. The organization operates a 12.5-acre lodge that hosts volunteers from mid-November through the end of May each year, and provides them with food, gear, and training. In return, volunteers patrol the wild migratory buffalo habitat to ensure the safety of the bison.
Both Justine and Dallas have strong personal ties to Buffalo Field Campaign. Justine encountered her first bison when visiting Buffalo Field Campaign’s headquarters over 20 years ago. She described it as the first time she had been able to approach a large wild animal without it fleeing. Justine felt a profound sense of connection, which inspired her to take on a role in Buffalo Field Campaign’s environmental efforts. Dallas became involved with the organization through its transfer program, which facilitates the distribution of bison to various Native American tribes. He emphasized the importance of tribal sovereignty and co-stewardship in the management of aboriginal food sources, a concept that has been a part of Buffalo Field Campaign’s core values since the group’s inception.
Justine cautioned listeners about the dangers of approaching bison, debunking the myth that they are all docile creatures. Male bison are likely to exhibit aggressive behaviors when disturbed. Bulls can be easily distinguished from females by their darker coats, larger horns, and larger, blockier heads. Justine advised exercising extreme caution and staying alert when encountering wild buffalo.
Dallas explained that the bison in Yellowstone Park are not permitted to roam freely, which is one of the major concerns of Buffalo Field Campaign. Although they are protected within the park’s boundaries, longstanding political motives prevent the bison from leaving their designated area. The organization seeks to promote scientific education to allow bison to have the same freedom as other wildlife, such as deer and elk, to roam freely across the 10 million acres of public land surrounding the park. Dallas drew a powerful parallel between the buffalo and Native Americans, both of whom were forced to remain confined to restricted lands.
If you would like to learn more about Buffalo Field Campaign, please visit BuffaloFieldCampaign.org. Follow BFC on social media at Facebook.com/BuffaloFieldCampaign and Instagram.com/BuffaloFieldCampaign.
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