Heritage Series: Return of the Buffalo

The American buffalo has been at the center of Western lore for decades. In Native American culture, the buffalo is seen as a symbol of life, survival and spiritual connection. The animals were valued for their meat as a source of sustenance, their hides for clothing and shelter, their bones for tools and weapons and their fat for soap. Spiritually, the buffalo represented the interconnection of all living things and abundance. The mass slaughter of buffalo in the 19th century by settlers had a devastating impact on Native American tribes, disrupting their way of life and contributing to their displacement.

Join us on January 23 at 7 pm in the Mesa Temple Visitors’ Center, 455 E. Main St., as Mesa Historical Museum’s Susan Ricci shares the fascinating story of the Return of the Buffalo. All are welcome and entrance is free!