Buffalo – Shoshone Harvest

The revered and reciprocal relationship between the Shoshone and their Buffalo is evidenced in the way these huge and powerful animals were used in sacred ceremonies such as the Sun Dance. Respect and gratitude guided all aspects of the harvesting and butchering, starting with prayers and offerings of tobacco.

Buffalo provided food, clothing, and shelter – no part went to waste. Stomachs and bladders were made into cooking pots or other vessels, scrotums into rattles. Highly valued organ meats were consumed for their nutrition and medicinal properties. Equally important, buffalo taught people how to live. Jason Baldes, Director of the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative, describes the herd gathering around to mourn the loss of a fallen member. Jason likens their herd dynamics to elephants when acknowledging their deceased. The buffalo are respectfully given this time as all honor the animal which has given its life to feed the Shoshone people.

Every effort is made not to stress or injure the animal in killing it. Jason describes the different cuts of meat and organs used. From tallow to bone broth, ribs turned into skis, arrowheads and knives, all parts of the buffalo were used. Buffalo sinew made an incredibly strong thread. Fat was rendered to preserve and bind together meat and berries in making pemmican. The visceral fat surrounding the kidneys – full of nutrients, rich in flavor with a high melting point – was particularly favored for this use. Back fat is another fat that is well suited as a food preservative and often used in this manner.

While historical photographs often show a solitary woman beginning the butchering process, the reality was often very different from these artificially posed images. Butchering a buffalo was hard work and the community was invited to gather and participate.

Today the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative celebrates their ability to reconnect with this magnificent creature to receive its many gifts after an absence of over 130 years. Once again, with grace and prayer, the buffalo is providing for her people.