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From Millions To Near-Extinction To Rebound, Bison Remain Icon Of North America

SDPB Radio | By Victoria Wicks

Published August 18, 2019 at 9:36 PM CDT

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The Journey Museum is the permanent home of Bennie, a bison killed in 2000 at the age of 10 to cull the herd at Custer State Park.

Victoria Wicks

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Corey Christianson, coordinator of administration, exhibits, and curation at Journey Museum and Learning Center.

Victoria Wicks

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A version of this photo of a mountain of bison skulls is included in the Journey Museum's exhibit.

Wikimedia Commons

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An Aynsley Pembroke bone china creamer, made in England, c. 1900, is on display with bison bones from 2009.

Victoria Wicks

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Scraping hides was women’s work. They used scrapers like the modern replica in this display, made of elk horn. Also included are moccasins, a tipi model, and a painted hide.";

Victoria Wicks

The history of bison in North America isn't just the story of an indigenous animal. Its existence is tied politically, economically, and spiritually to the indigenous people.

This story is told in a traveling exhibit at the Journey Museum in Rapid City. The exhibit opened with a reception this weekend. "Bison" is on display through Oct. 14.

The traveling exhibit was created by the Kauffman Museum in Kansas, in conjunction with the National Buffalo Foundation.

SDPB's Victoria Wicks has this story.