For the Lakota and Plains tribes, the bison is not merely an important source of food but a symbol of prosperity. Every time a herd of bison moves across the plains, the indigenous people believe that the foundation of their lives is strengthened, and abundance will spread to every member of the tribe.
They do not hunt bison only for meat but also revere and give thanks to them for providing everything needed for survival: from meat, hides, and fur, to fat and bones.
The appearance of a bison herd is seen as a sign of abundance — where there are bison, there is fullness and prosperity. The bison carry within them a promise that life will always be protected, and the tribe will overcome any challenges without lacking anything.
