The National Buffalo Museum soon to be called the North American Bison Discovery Center, has become a sponsor of NATIVE | The Prodigies of an Icon, a documentary film about the American Bison, it’s recovery as a species, and how it continues to thrive in modern day.

The National Buffalo Museum is the number one resource for all things related to the restoration of the American bison, including its historic, ecological, economic, and cultural value.

The National Buffalo Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Our mission is to advocate for the restoration of the North American bison through education and outreach. We derive operating funds to support our mission from museum membership, admission, programs, store income, grants, and ND charitable gaming proceeds.

The National Buffalo Museum opened in June of 1993 and has since been dedicated to preserving the history of the bison and promoting the modern bison business.

In 1991, the North Dakota Buffalo Foundation (NDBF) (d.b.a. the National Buffalo Museum) formed to start a herd of bison that would graze in the pasture just below the “World’s Largest Buffalo” monument in Jamestown, ND. Around the same time, the National Buffalo Foundation was looking for a facility to house and display numerous accumulated bison-related objects, artwork, and historical memorabilia from the bison business. Thanks to tireless advocacy from the founding board members of the NDBF, many of whom were themselves bison producers, the first five animals in this herd came from Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the site of that first small herd became the home of the National Buffalo Museum.

The National Buffalo Museum is currently working to reposition itself as the North American Bison Discovery Center inclusive of all of North America, the new center will offer interactive education and tours.

The filming of NATIVE The Prodigies of an Icon isn’t just about bison, it’s about the lifestyles of the people who dedicate their lives to raising them and majestic landscape this Keystone Species helped create. The following screenshots where taken during “spring” tagging of bison calves with Lawrence Ference and his daughter Lisa Ference from Corner Creek Farms (Elk Point Alberta Canada) and Allen Oszust from Raging Bison Ranch (Glendon Alberta Canada).

Filming on Cyrus Bison Ranches Bonnyville Alberta Canada. NATIVE | The Prodigies of an Icon isn’t just about the bison, it’s a story about the people raising and supporting the bison.  Enjoy some shots of life on the farm in Canada! Those bison wool gloves, neck gators, beanies (or toque) are partially made right here in Alberta Canada.  Check out how they separate the bison down wool from the bison hair. 

Filming crew includes Josh Dillard with DCM Films

It goes without saying, bison ranchers love their bison!  Filming NATIVE | The Prodigies of an Icon with Lawrence Ference with Corner Creek Farms in Elk Point, Alberta Canada. With DCM Films

Filming in Lamont / Chipman Alberta Canada area for NATIVE | The Prodigies of an Icon with Dr. Nathaniel Ostashewski and DCM Films.

Bison are known for their survivorship of the last ice age.  While we may not be living in an ice age today, one can observe the amazing abilities of bison to sift through deep snow and withstand freezing temperatures in national parks across the Northwest.

The Eastern Bison Association has signed up as a bronze sponsor for the NATIVE film project. NATIVE | The Prodigies of an Icon is a feature documentary film project following North America’s most iconic mammal, the American Bison (aka Buffalo). Featuring ranchers, indigenous people, and conservationists across North America, the documentary aims to highlight the history of Bison, the regenerative significance Bison has on our ecology, and the industry and people that have made it’s comeback both possible and sustainable.

The Eastern Bison Association is dedicated to addressing the needs of the eastern bison producer through  education, research, and the marketing of bison and bison products.

The Eastern  Bison Association, through its code of ethics, promotes the integrity and  honesty of the bison producer to provide outstanding quality bison products for  the consumer.