Dear editor:
I was recently reading John Thompson‘s article on why Ken Burns named his film "The American Buffalo."
While the Burns' film focuses on the demise of the bison, "Native the Prodigies of an Icon" is a documentary slated for 2025 that focuses on the return of the bison, which is an effort that has been largely led by private ranchers.
The film includes conservation, government, tribal and private (commercial) efforts to restore the bison.
This is likely the largest conservation story of a species in American history, and ironically dating back to Roosevelt, could not have happened without all sides of the bison community working together. In particular, the commercial industry which accounts for close to 90% of the bison today, has been the main funding source for research, parks (through surplus auctions) and has helped establish the genetic diversity necessary for a rebound in the population.
With Burns’ film coming out, it might be a good time to look at NativeMovie.com because one thing Burns won’t express in his documentary is how essential American ranchers actually were/are in the recovery of the bison.
"Native the Prodigies of an Icon" has been filmed across the United States and Canada with many locations in Wyoming. In any case, the film's honest look at conservation and ranching may be of interest to your demographic.
Sincerely,
Charles Rankin
Goldston, NC
