Bison Medicine for a Divided World
Mama Bison watching over her calf, Yellowstone National Park. By Kris Cochran
One morning last May, I spent a couple of hours trapped by a bison herd in Yellowstone National Park. My predicament created the space for me to witness the power of Bison Medicine in community.
A bison’s loyalty is to the herd. They stand as one to protect the young, the elderly, and the injured.
They remember what many human animals have forgotten. Every life is sacred, from the cradle to the grave.
In a valley carved by a glacier, “Red Dogs” are sacred
Bison calf taking his first wobbly “Red Dog” steps, Yellowstone. By Kris Cochran
Yellowstone is practically in my backyard. If I leave my home in Idaho four hours before sunrise, I can roll through the park gate at West Yellowstone in two hours. By daylight, I’m photographing the Lamar Valley in the remote northeast corner of the park.
That spring morning, I drove to the Lamar Valley to look for bison and watch the newborn “red dogs” take their first wobbly steps.
Bison and other wildlife are abundant in the “American Serengeti,” yet the valley appeared deserted when I arrived. I decided to take advantage of the quiet hour to photograph a landscape of the Lamar River winding toward the Wyoming border.
Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park. By Kris Cochran
I parked my Jeep and glassed for signs of bison in all directions before hiking out into the meadow. I take every precaution to avoid disturbing wildlife—especially bison during calving season. Unless you can outrun a racehorse, it’s best to keep a generous distance from the herd.
I found a composition I liked and set up my camera and tripod, frequently pausing to look around—still no sign of bison.
Then I was lost in the scene and camera settings. When I remembered to check behind me, a bison herd was about 100 yards away and closing in on me.
I assumed they were headed to the river, and I was in their path. I had to get out of their way. Now.
Bison calf, Yellowstone National Park. By Kris Cochran
If I ran back through the meadow and the safety of my Jeep, I would be running straight at the herd. Instead, I grabbed my gear and sprinted away from the bison to the highway.
When I reached the pavement and looked back, I expected the herd would have moved on to the river. Instead, they had stopped about 50 yards from my Jeep.
I was trapped. All I could do was wait and focus on the bison.
Bison medicine is sacrifice and service to community
Bison form a circle to protect the young, sick, and elderly, Yellowstone. By Kris Cochran
Something about my out-of-place Jeep in the pristine valley alerted the herd to danger. The bison had stopped to form their double circle of protection.
First, the cows form a circle around the young, the elderly, and the sick. Then, the bulls form an outer circle around the cows.
Bison protect the young, elderly, and injured, Yellowstone. By Kris Cochran
Let that sink in.
Wild bison have the compassion and wisdom to form a double circle protecting every vulnerable life. Standing as one, they never leave another behind to satisfy the predators.
Within the sacred circle of community, we are at peace
Safe and contented bison calf after nursing, Yellowstone. By Kris Cochran
We are not meant to save the world. No one of us can. We are meant to care for the lives within our reach.
I believe compassionate care for one another includes my neighbor, who may not vote as I do, worship as I do, or look and act as I do.
There are predators among us, encouraging our division and delighting in our broken circles. Unless we stop hating and berating one another, they will take our most vulnerable first and then come for the rest of us.
We are all on a path to the river, and we will reach its banks in peace when we unite in community.
Thanks for walking with me,
Kris
