Bison: Past and Present

 Bison has been in the news lately, from a resolution in the legislature to oppose bison on the CMR National Wildlife Refuge to the Department of the Interior's commitment to working with tribes to restore bison. Here are three articles I saw, all because I subscribe to Mountain West News, which aggregates (especially environmental) news from the Western United States. 

• US to focus bison restoration on expanding tribal herds | AP News
• Bison resolution stirs debate about Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge (billingsgazette.com)
• Bringing Back Bison Is a Genetic Challenge - WSJ (This one requires a subscription but you can get a free article by registering)

Connect this to the past.

• Here's a video from the recent past (2014) about bison restoration on the Fort Peck reservation.
• Looking WAY back, we've got a lesson plan focusing on bison in the new fourth-grade curriculum, Montana: A History of Our Home, including Chapter 2, Part 1, Lesson 2, "Bison—The Staff of Life." Find the entire curriculum here.
• Take your students on a virtual tour of Head Smashed-In Buffalo Jump just across the border in Alberta, or tour the Madison Buffalo Jump with Dr. Shane Doyle (Apsaalooke/Crow) in two short videos, Madison Buffalo JumpTour (3:00) and Buffalo Jump, View from the Top (2:12).

OPI also has lessons on bison. They include Resources for Learning About Contemporary American Indian Issues: Bison Restoration. This lesson helps students learn more about bison restoration and the importance of the bison to Montana American Indians. This lesson is appropriate for grades 6-12.

And check out Project Archaeology's The 10,000 Year Significance of Bison, which includes four science units and one ELA unit for grades 6-9.

Apply to Become a Teacher Leader

Middle school teachers! If you love Montana history and want to share your passion with colleagues, consider applying to become a Teacher Leader in Montana History. Find out more here. Applications are due April 23.   

P.S. Today is the LAST of our online PD series. Integrating Montana History across Disciplines, led by Teacher Leader in Montana History Cynthia Wilondek, will be held from 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Register by noon today to get the Zoom link.