Bison return to Texas Indigenous lands, reconnecting tribes to their roots



Theda Pogue, 45, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, poses for a portrait on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at GP Ranch in Sulphur Springs, Texas. She hosted a blessing ceremony for three, gifted herds of bison on National Bison Day. One herd was recently transferred from Colorado with the help of the Tanka Fund, a Native American-led nonprofit organization and the Nature Conservancy to revitalize buffalo populations and provide resources for Native ranchers and producers.

A herd of bison gifted to Theda Pogue, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, and her family, graze at GP Ranch on Saturday, November 4, 2023 in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Part of the herd was recently transferred from Colorado with the help of the Tanka Fund, a Native American-led nonprofit organization and the Nature Conservancy to revitalize buffalo populations and provide resources for Native ranchers and producers. The Pogue family hosted a blessing ceremony to welcome the herd.

A herd of bison gifted to Theda Pogue, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, and her family, graze at GP Ranch on Saturday, November 4, 2023 in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Part of the herd was recently transferred from Colorado with the help of the Tanka Fund, a Native American-led nonprofit organization and the Nature Conservancy to revitalize buffalo populations and provide resources for Native ranchers and producers. The Pogue family hosted a blessing ceremony to welcome the herd.

From left, Chris Pogue, 43, Rowdy Pogue, 20, affiliated with the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, Skylar Gainer, 26, affiliated with the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, and Theda Pogue, 45, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, receive a blessing from Reverend Eric Thlocco, member of Tokvbvche Methodist Church and affiliated with the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, (right) during a ceremony for three herds of bison gifted to the family on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at GP Ranch in Sulphur Springs, Texas.

From left, Chris Pogue, 43, Rowdy Pogue, 20, affiliated with the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, Skylar Gainer, 26, affiliated with the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, and Theda Pogue, 45, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, receive a blessing from Reverend Eric Thlocco, member of Tokvbvche Methodist Church and affiliated with the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, (right) during a ceremony for three herds of bison gifted to the family on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at GP Ranch in Sulphur Springs, Texas.

Bison nearly died out 

People, including tribe members, line up for a meal following a blessing ceremony for the three herds of bison gifted to Theda Pogue, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, and her family on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at GP Ranch in Sulphur Springs, Texas. The meal included three cuts of bison meat prepared by Curtis Fulgham, 43, chef at Social Lounge.

People, including tribe members, line up for a meal following a blessing ceremony for the three herds of bison gifted to Theda Pogue, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, and her family on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at GP Ranch in Sulphur Springs, Texas. The meal included three cuts of bison meat prepared by Curtis Fulgham, 43, chef at Social Lounge.

Reverend Eric Thlocco, 49, member of Tokvbvche Methodist Church and affiliated with the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, and Deacon Wendell Reschke, 53, member of Tokvbvche Methodist Church and affiliated with the Seminole Creek Nation of Oklahoma, (left to right) witness three herds of bison gifted to Theda Pogue, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, and her family on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at GP Ranch in Sulphur Springs, Texas. The two men arrived to partake in a blessing ceremony welcoming the herds on National Bison Day.

Reverend Eric Thlocco, 49, member of Tokvbvche Methodist Church and affiliated with the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, and Deacon Wendell Reschke, 53, member of Tokvbvche Methodist Church and affiliated with the Seminole Creek Nation of Oklahoma, (left to right) witness three herds of bison gifted to Theda Pogue, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, and her family on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at GP Ranch in Sulphur Springs, Texas. The two men arrived to partake in a blessing ceremony welcoming the herds on National Bison Day.

Pastor Paul Fixico, 70, member of Tokvbvche Methodist Church and affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Tribe of Oklahoma, (center) prays during a blessing ceremony for three herds of bison gifted to Theda Pogue, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, and her family on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at GP Ranch in Sulphur Springs, Texas.

Pastor Paul Fixico, 70, member of Tokvbvche Methodist Church and affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Tribe of Oklahoma, (center) prays during a blessing ceremony for three herds of bison gifted to Theda Pogue, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, and her family on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at GP Ranch in Sulphur Springs, Texas.

Bison preservation 

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Passing down the bison’s cultural legacy

People, including tribe members, eat a meal following a blessing ceremony for the three herds of bison gifted to Theda Pogue, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, and her family on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at GP Ranch in Sulphur Springs, Texas. The meal included three cuts of bison meat prepared by Curtis Fulgham, 43, chef at Social Lounge.

People, including tribe members, eat a meal following a blessing ceremony for the three herds of bison gifted to Theda Pogue, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, and her family on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at GP Ranch in Sulphur Springs, Texas. The meal included three cuts of bison meat prepared by Curtis Fulgham, 43, chef at Social Lounge.

Andrea Poncho, 51, affiliated with the Alabama–Coushatta Tribe of Texas, (center) shows her sons, Waylon Poncho, 7, (left) and Gunnar Poncho, 6, (right) a display of various ways bison is utilized on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at GP Ranch in Sulphur Springs, Texas.The display was used to educate those who attended a blessing ceremony for three herds of bison gifted to Theda Pogue, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, and her family on National Bison Day. One herd was recently transferred from Colorado with the help of the Tanka Fund, a Native American-led nonprofit organization and the Nature Conservancy to revitalize buffalo populations and provide resources for Native ranchers and producers.

Andrea Poncho, 51, affiliated with the Alabama–Coushatta Tribe of Texas, (center) shows her sons, Waylon Poncho, 7, (left) and Gunnar Poncho, 6, (right) a display of various ways bison is utilized on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at GP Ranch in Sulphur Springs, Texas.The display was used to educate those who attended a blessing ceremony for three herds of bison gifted to Theda Pogue, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, and her family on National Bison Day. One herd was recently transferred from Colorado with the help of the Tanka Fund, a Native American-led nonprofit organization and the Nature Conservancy to revitalize buffalo populations and provide resources for Native ranchers and producers.

People, including tribe members, load onto a pickup truck and hay ride following a blessing ceremony for three herds of bison gifted to Theda Pogue, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, and her family on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at GP Ranch in Sulphur Springs, Texas.

People, including tribe members, load onto a pickup truck and hay ride following a blessing ceremony for three herds of bison gifted to Theda Pogue, affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, and her family on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at GP Ranch in Sulphur Springs, Texas.



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