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Why Is Destruction Part of Our Story?

Season 1 Episode 1 | 9m 59s

The scale of destruction of wild animals in the American West during the 19th century is the largest in known human history. When hide hunters ran out of buffalo, they turned to other animals to feed the market economy, from antelopes and elk to wolves and grizzly bears. Even scavenging animals could not escape the destruction.

Why Is Destruction Part of Our Story?
Corporate funding for The American Buffalo was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and by The Better Angels Society and its following members: The Margaret A. Cargill Foundation fund at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment; John and Catherine Debs; Kissick Family Foundation; Fred and Donna Seigel; Jacqueline Mars; John and Leslie McQuown; and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Tudor Jones. Funding was also provided by The Volgenau Foundation.
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Extras
The 1913 Buffalo Nickel raises important questions how we think of the American West.
Grinnell fought the destruction of birds and other wildlife, including the buffalo.
More than 250 Lakotas – mostly women and children – were killed by U.S. soldiers.
By 1889, Buffalo Bill Cody was the most famous American in the world.
The U.S. government made treaties with Indigenous people when it was convenient.
After the Civil War, Americans set out with renewed energy to unite the East and West.
Did you know a buffalo can clear a six-foot fence?
An intimate look at the only indigenous tribal-led buffalo drive in North America.
Iniskim follows a young woman’s journey to recovery by reconnecting with the buffalo.
The Rosebud Indian Reservations Wolakota Project aims to bring the buffalo home.