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Rather it stands as a centerpiece for two cultures, one whose very lives depended on the buffalo and one who saw it as a means to an end. It recognizes and accepts that this is our mutual history. It can also represent the chance to move forward.” Tatanka is a Lakota word meaning “big beast.” So, is it “bison” or “buffalo?” The American bison is not a true buffalo in scientific terms, but most people use the word “buffalo” for this animal. Hence, popular usage perpetuates the term “buffalo,” even though “bison” is the scientific name for the animal featured at Tatanka. And at Tatanka: Story of the Bison, both terms – bison and buffalo – are used interchangeably, although the only true buffalo in the world are the cape buffalo and the water buffalo. Perhaps the most mesmerizing and captivating portion of the Tatanka experience is the massive Buffalo Hunt bronze sculpture assembly on the Tatanka grounds. “Kevin commissioned the sculpture from Peggy Detmers” Caldwell explained. “It took five years to sculpt and cast. There is a total of 17 sculptures: 14 buffalo and three Native American riders on horseback. It depicts the buffalo jump. The Native Americans would select the buffaloes they wanted to harvest, then they would create a stampede and run
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Destination Deadwood©
the buffaloes over cliff. It was the simplest way for Native Americans to hunt the buffalo. They did that when the horse was introduced into America. Then they would go down and harvest the buffalo and take it back to their families.” A real buffalo jump, the Vore Buffalo Jump, can be found west of Spearfish and Aladdin, Wyo. along Interstate 90. It was used by numerous Native American tribes over a period of about 300 years. During that time as many 20,000 animals were slaughtered. For the Northern Plains people, Tatanka meant life. Ceremonies and daily life revolved around sacred references to Tatanka. They relied upon the bison for food, clothing, housing, tools, weapons, and ceremonial items. Plains Indians had more than 100 uses for the various parts of the bison. Nothing was wasted. An estimated 30 to 60 million bison once roamed the Great Plains of North America. By the close of the 19th century, it was estimated that less than 1,000 bison survived. This is their story. “Tatanka is the story of the bison and the Northern Plains people in relationship to the bison,” Caldwell said. “We focus on the 1800s and up to present day. It’s a family friendly attraction. We have a museum, gift shop, and a small restaurant. We have Lakota people do presentations throughout the day. We, of course, have the bronze sculpture, which is the
Spring/Summer 2018