We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/Script
CONNECT Buffalo Rancher (TV)
HEADLINE: Returning Buffalo to Texas
TEASER: Native American ranchers reintroduce bison to their habitat
PUBLISHED: 04/11/2022
BYLINE: Dylan Baddour
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Waelder, Texas
VIDEOGRAPHER: Dylan Baddour
PRODUCER: Dylan Baddour, Jack Lacy
SCRIPT EDITORS:
VIDEO SOURCE (S):
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV X RADIO __
TRT: 2:54
VID APPROVED BY: EA
TYPE:
EDITOR NOTES:
((Eds: This is a self-narrated feature.))
((INTRO: )) [[Buffalo were once plentiful in what is now the U.S. state of Texas. Now, a small group of Native Americans are trying to re-introduce the animals to the region. Dylan Baddour reports for VOA from Waelder, Texas, that it’s part of a larger effort to rebuild Native culture.]
((NATS))
((Lucille Contreras founder of Texas Tribal Buffalo Project))
My name is Lucille Contreras and I’m the CEO and founder of Texas Tribal Buffalo Project here in Waelder, Texas.
((NATS))
((Text-over-video:
This non-profit buffalo ranch aims to help rebuild a native culture in Texas.
Today, the ranch keeps nine donated buffalo on 31 ha))
((NATS))
((Lucille Contreras founder of Texas Tribal Buffalo Project))
I grew up in San Antonio, in the hood or whatever. I, you know, went to inner-city high school but my dream my whole life was to get out into the country.
((NATS))
((Lucille Contreras founder of Texas Tribal Buffalo Project))
I know by being around buffalo personally, it has helped me in my life. It's helped me and my children be stronger, have more fortitude, be healthier in our minds, body and spirit. And so, I want to allow that, afford that opportunity to others.
((NATS))
((Lucille Contreras founder of Texas Tribal Buffalo Project))
This is the first time in hundreds of years that Lipan Apache and Southern Plains Bison have been right here on this land.
((NATS: Lipan Apache singers))
((Richard Gonzalez Vice-Chairman, Lipan Apache Band of Texas))
(in Spanish)
My name is Richard Gonzalez or Ricardo Gonzalez. I live in Brackettville, Texas. We are Lipan Apache from here in Texas, the band of Texas.
((NATS: Lipan Apache singers))
((Richard Gonzalez Vice-Chairman, Lipan Apache Band of Texas))
Bringing buffalo back to where they are from is just like bringing us, our families, back to where we were from, to acknowledge that they actually lived here. There’s people in Texas today that never knew there were ever buffalo in Texas, just like they didn’t know there were Apaches here.
((NATS: Lipan Apache singers))
((Richard Gonzalez Vice-Chairman, Lipan Apache Band of Texas))
All these different things, these symbols on these teepees, all these things are important because they remind us who we are but also reminds other folks that we’re still here and we’re not living back in 1700 or 1400 or 1800. We’re living today but we’ve not forgotten where we come from.
((NATS))
((Lucille Contreras founder of Texas Tribal Buffalo Project))
Lipan Apache have lost land, culture, language as well as kinship with each other.
((NATS))
((Lucille Contreras founder of Texas Tribal Buffalo Project))
Being able to learn the culture of handling or really not handling but caretaking for buffalo as relatives, that really happened for me in South Dakota. And I feel like if it wasn’t for the Lakota, I probably, I don't think I would have been able to do what I’m doing today and bringing back to the Lipan Apache Buffalo Nation, our relationship with the buffalo in this way.
((NATS))
((Text-over-video:
In 2020, Contreras returned home to Texas to start her own ranch.))
((NATS: Singing))
((Text-over-video:
Contreras hopes to someday buy more land for a large reserve where native people of Texas can come to practice buffalo culture.))
((NATS: Singing)
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
Waelder, Texas
Embargo DateApril 11, 2022 16:37 EDT
Byline
Dylan Baddour
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
