The Yuchi Tribe of Oklahoma received five bison from Denver earlier this month, marking the first time in nearly two centuries that Yuchi people will once again interact with the animal.
"We have an opportunity to connect with them in direct ways and help them on their journey," says Richard Grounds, the executive director of the Yuchi Language Project, which works to create new Yuchi speakers by having fluent elders work with children.
The Yuchi Tribe was one of several to receive bison from the city of Denver, which maintains two conservation herds that are descended from the last wild bison in North America. Since 2018, the city has donated 85 surplus bison — which many, including Indigenous people, commonly call buffalo — to Native American tribes instead of selling them at auction, reflecting a broader effort to return stewardship to Native Americans.
