The Gift of the Great Buffalo

Author: Carole Lindstrom
Plot Summary: This is a historical adventure of Rose, a girl from the Metis tribe, who lived in the late 1800s. The Metis practiced biannual (twice a year) buffalo hunts. Although traditionally girls and women are not part of the hunting group, Rose wanted to help her father because they had difficulty locating the buffalos. Tracking the buffalo, Rose found them with the guidance of a Buffalo spirit, and heard the spirit speak to her, “We offer our lives for our relatives”. The people then held a feast and honored the buffalo’s life by offering a plate to the sacred fire.
Posted In: ancestors, Animal Rights, Cultural Myths, Ethics
Discussion Questions
  • Do you think of buffalo as food? How do you think of a buffalo?
  • What do you think of buffalo hunting?
  • How would you describe the kind of human-animal relationships that the Metis have? How is it different from (or similar to) the kind of relationships in your culture?
  • Traditionally, people hunt for food together and share their catch with one another. How is this different from the way most of us get our food today? What do you think about this difference?
  • In the story, the Metis people hold a feast to honor the buffalo’s life. What do you think about this ritual? Do you have a similar practice in your culture of offering gratitude for the animals eaten?
  • How do we generally treat animals who are not pets? Would the animals agree to be treated that way if we asked?