The following story was written and reported by Karin Eagle, Native Sun News Staff Writer. All content © Native Sun News.

U. S. Senators designate ‘National Bison Day’
By Karin Eagle
Native Sun News Staff Writer

WASHINGTON – Tim Johnson (D-SD) led a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing a resolution designating November 2, 2013, the first Saturday of November, as “National Bison Day.”

“National Bison Day is an opportunity to celebrate the bison as a living symbol of the United States,” said Johnson. “Bison not only play a central role in Native American culture, they are increasingly important in South Dakota and across the nation as bison ranching and interest in this great mammal have grown.”

The Plains tribes utilized all parts of the bison, wasting little. The meat was a primary source of food. Bones made tools and weapons. Hides provided materials for blankets, clothing and shelters known as tipis.

A white bison hide is considered a sacred symbol. The birth of a white bison has great spiritual significance and the animal is revered. According to the White Buffalo Woman legend, one of the most important legends in Lakota culture, a white buffalo is the most sacred of living creature.

The “National Bison Day” resolution outlines the historical, cultural, and economic significance of the bison to the United States. It also notes the cultural and economic importance of the bison to many Indian tribes.

The text of the “National Bison Day” resolution is below:

Whereas bison are considered a historical symbol of the United States;
Whereas bison were integrally linked with the economic and spiritual lives of many Indian tribes through trade and sacred ceremonies;
Whereas there are more than 60 Indian tribes participating in the Intertribal Buffalo Council;
Whereas numerous members of Indian tribes are involved in bison restoration on tribal land;
Whereas members of Indian tribes have a combined herd on more than 1,000,000 acres of tribal land;
Whereas the Intertribal Buffalo Council is a tribal organization incorporated pursuant to section 17 of the Act of June 18, 1934 (commonly known as ‘‘Indian Reorganization Act’’) (25 U.S.C. 477);
Whereas bison can play an important role in improving the types of grasses found in landscapes to the benefit of grasslands;
Whereas a bison has been depicted on the official seal of the Department of the Interior since 1912;
Whereas bison hold significant economic value for private producers and rural communities;
Whereas, as of 2007, the United States had 4,499 bison producers creating jobs and providing a sustainable and healthy meat source contributing to the food security of the United States;
Whereas a bison is portrayed on 2 State flags;
Whereas the bison has been adopted by 3 States as the official mammal or animal of those States;
Whereas the buffalo nickel played an important role in modernizing the currency of the United States;
Whereas several sports teams have the bison as a mascot, which highlights the iconic significance of bison in the United States;
Whereas on December 8, 1905, William Hornaday, Theodore Roosevelt, and others formed the American Bison Society in response to the near extinction of bison in the United States;
Whereas on October 11, 1907, the American Bison Society sent 15 bison to the first big game refuge in the United States, which was known as the ‘‘Wichita Reserve Bison Refuge’’;
Whereas in 2005, the American Bison Society was reestablished, bringing together bison ranchers, managers from Indian tribes, Federal and State agencies, conservation organizations, and natural and social scientists from the United States, Canada, and Mexico to create a vision for the North American bison in the 21st century;
Whereas there are bison herds in National Wildlife Refuges and National Parks;
Whereas there are bison in State-managed herds across 11 States;
Whereas there is a growing effort to celebrate and officially recognize the historical, cultural, and economic significance of the North American bison to the heritage of the United States; and
Whereas members of Indian tribes, bison producers, conservationists, sportsmen, educators, and other public and private partners have participated in the first annual National Bison Day on November 1, 2012, and are committed to continuing this tradition annually on the first Saturday of November: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) Designates November 2, 2013, the first Saturday of November, as National Bison Day.
(2) Encourages the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

Joining Senator Johnson in this effort were Senators Enzi (R-WY), Baldwin (D-WI), Bennet (D-CO), Cochran (R-MS), Gillibrand (D-NY), Hatch (R-UT), Heinrich (D-NM), Heitkamp (D-ND), Hoeven (R-ND), Johanns (R-NE), Lee (R-UT), Moran (R-KS), Portman (R-OH), Schumer (D-NY), Tester (D-MT), Thune (D-SD), Udall (D-NM), and Whitehouse (D-RI).

(Contact Karin Eagle at staffwriter@nsweekly.com)

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