Buffalo Nations Alert
Date 12-22-97

Department of Livestock "inspectors" came to West Yellowstone last week and were immediately greeted in the field by three of our volunteers. Within 10 minutes a dozen backup volunteers, including members of the Inter-Tribal Bison Cooperative, were on the scene to ensure the bison's protection.

Two of the members of our response team came into the field with a video camera and attempted to haze the bison away from the DOL, whose motives were as yet unclear. The DOL brandished guns loaded with apparent blanks and chased the bison in pick-up trucks. They later claimed their only intention was to haze the bison. The bison eventually crossed over into the park.

Volunteers have been canvassing the local community and have put up over 40 bright pink signs on people's land which say "Bison Safe Zone: No Shooting or Harassing Bison Permitted by Order of Landowner". We are constantly heartened by the positive response of people who love the bison and want to help us. Some of our best support comes from our neighbors around our cabin, six of whom regularly go out on patrols with us. Their help allows us to have an effective presence in the field.

In a lawsuit filed by the Inter-Tribal Bison Cooperative on Dec.16th, U.S. District Judge Charles C. Lovell (notoriously pro-cattle industry) announced that he would only allow 100 bison to be killed this year before they must return to court for more slaughter approval. As writer and grizzly bear expert Doug Peacock says, "That's 100 too many."

The other complication with this "solution" is that the D.O.L. would still be able to capture and hold the bison in unnatural confinement for 5 months or more. Buffalo Nations is concerned that this is a public relations ploy which will make little positive difference in the long run for the future of the bison and may lead to their domestication.

Before the hearing, Inter-Tribal Bison Cooperative Executive Director Mark Heckert, Vice President Carl Tsosie, and Spiritual Advisor Rocky Afraid of Hawk visited our office. The ITBC represents over 44 tribes and advocates that buffalo in excess of the Yellowstone ecosystem carrying capacity be sent to reservations instead of being shot or shipped to slaughter. The visitors from ITBC shared prayers and honored us with a pipe ceremony. They expressed their solidarity and support for our work here.

We are still feeling strong here, and everyone feels very positive about our commitment to ensure that not one buffalo is killed this winter.

Buffalo Nations
PO Box 957
West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 phone 406-646-0071 fax
Our web site

Take a second and do one thing for the buffalo!
It's time to put the pressure on and show this public official that there are folks concerned and speaking out for the buffalo!

IF YOU CAN ONLY DO ONE THING!!!...

Write, Fax, Phone, Call....APHIS Administrator Terry Medley
Let him know that the last wild buffalo are more important than a few cows. Brucellosis free status in Montana should be determined on a county by county basis! then the livestock folks wouldn't have to worry about the very few cows in Yellowstone!!

Do your job, Terry...work it out! He's a public servant that should be working to solve this problem

(202) 720-2511 or (202) 720-3668
fax (202)720-3982
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
12th & Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20250
E-Mail: postmaster@aphis.usda.gov

Mitakuye Oyasin (All My Relations)