As the school buses arrived at the Missoula County Public Schools (MCPS) “Ag Center” and everybody started to get settled in, the cold air immediately began affecting some people. 

Looking around, I saw that some people were prepared with blankets and gloves, while others, like myself, had just a sweater to protect them. People gathered around in the circle of chairs with a buffalo hide in the middle for others to sit on as well. 

This was the start of MCPS’ Buffalo Harvest, which took place on Friday, October 17, at MCPS’ Agricultural Center. This was my first time ever being a part of a buffalo harvest, and as a whole, it was a great experience. It was new and informative, and it seemed to have reached many of the youth that were there. 

For many, this was also their first time experiencing a buffalo harvest. Going into it, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had been to many different Native American events before, but not a buffalo harvest. Buffalo harvests have been around for centuries in Native culture and are significant in it, providing not just resources but establishing connection to the land and the importance of life. The MCPS Ag Center hosted their first harvest December 17, 2024, with this one being just their second. 

Many of the students listened with respect and interest as Larry Ground, one of the elders at the harvest, introduced himself, as well as the other elders who were with him. He spoke about the tradition and culture of the buffalo harvest, as well as Native heritage in general. He also spoke about the importance of the youth being in touch with their culture and their past and the importance of their health. I always grew up being told that my past is important and that I should stay connected to my culture. I think it’s good for Native youth to understand their past and the true resilience of Native people, and I especially think it’s good to carry these traditions on. Events like these are being hosted more and more, providing many youth with opportunities to learn more about their past and culture.

“The first hour or so is rooted in ceremony,” Jennifer Courtney said of the buffalo harvest afterwards in a press briefing with the Big Sky Sun Journal. Prayer is a vital piece here. Students got to see the importance of the preparation, including the blessing of the knives they would use. 

During the harvest time frame,  a few people got their Blackfeet names. MCPS Superintendent Micah Hill was named Holy Smudge Stick, Charlie Struna from the Native Student Services Department was named Tears That Heal, and fellow classmate Joshua Dingmann was named Raven Space. It was cool to see not just adults get their name, but students as well. The point of the youth being connected to their culture is driven home here. Being granted a name here is meant to be a way to connect the person to their Native roots and is meant to provide an identity. Seeing a youth get his name was definitely fascinating to see as this is meant to be powerful and sacred. 

Afterwards, everybody was able to have delicious Indian Tacos for lunch and visit. A few of the adults began a bonfire which warmed many people up. During this, the elders put down the buffalo, which Ms. Courtney had the privilege of attending.

“Growing up in a hunting family, we would put our hands on the animal afterwards and essentially give thanks,” Courtney said.

Students began to gather up once they brought the trailer in. As they opened the door and began to drag the bison out, students looked in awe and speculation, murmuring among the crowd. The scene gradually became more graphic as they began cutting off the head and harvesting the rest of the body. I learned a lot about how essentially every part of the bison can be used for something important. Christina Flammond, who is a part of C&C Meat Processing, explained the importance of each piece and how it can all be used for something. The tongue, the blood, the hide, the organs, each part of it can be used one way or another. 

While it was pretty gruesome, it was fascinating to see how the process played out and how exactly they harvested it. Many people were able to interact with the different parts of the bison. Some touched the tongue, drank the blood, or took photos with the head. Youth got to learn about how different parts of the buffalo worked, such as its legs, and got to hear about how a certain part can provide in certain ways. Respect is paid to the animal in not just vocal thanks, but an assurance that no part of the buffalo goes to waste. 

This was a great experience and I am very grateful that I was able to attend. I loved learning about the buffalo and what the actual harvest means. There’s a level of sacredness that is established to the hunt. I feel blessed to be able to write about my experience and that I was able to attend.