Buffalo Nation/Pow Wow Hour Special

Series produced by Radio Netherlands Worldwide

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Radio Netherlands producer Martha Hawley takes two looks at Native American culture in the form of the Revival of the Buffalo and the exploration of the Pow Wow

Romantic images from the Old West feature majestic bison, or buffalo, grazing on prairie grass, or thundering across the Great Plains in the company of powerful Indians on horseback. In the battle for control of the Plains, the buffalo was in fact almost wiped out. But today, work is being done by both Indian and non-Indian ranchers to restore the herds. Native American traditional culture is being revived, and the ties are being renewed between tribal people and the sacred animal which they view as a relative. The challenge is to find common ground for cultural and commercial interests. In this two part programme, exploring aspects of native American culture, producer Martha Hawley first spoke with Native ranchers, caretakers and educators from the Buffalo Nation.

In the second half hour, Martha Hawley continues her quest for Native American culture by attending a powwow. The term ‘pow wow’ comes from the Algonquin language group, and originally it refered to a gathering of revered spiritual leaders. In recent times, pow wows have become fabulous celebratory events. These explosions of music and dance go on throughout the year all over the USA and Canada as local pow wows and large intertribal gatherings including hundreds of feathered and painted dancers mingling and jingling near the traditional arena. Porcupine, South Dakota, is a small town on Pine Ridge Reservation, where the Oglala Lakota people display their heritage with vigour. The drums they play are the heartbeat of their people but the pow wow is also open to other seekers on the road. Hide full description

Romantic images from the Old West feature majestic bison, or buffalo, grazing on prairie grass, or thundering across the Great Plains in the company of powerful Indians on horseback. In the battle for control of the Plains, the buffalo was in fact almost wiped out. But today, work is being done by both Indian and non-Indian ranchers to restore the herds. Native American traditional culture is being revived, and the ties are being renewed between tribal people and the sacred animal which they view as a relative. The challenge is to find common ground for cultural and commercial interests. In this two part programme, exploring aspects of native American culture, producer Martha Hawley first spoke with Native ranchers, caretakers and educators from the Buffalo Nation. In the second half... Show full description


3 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
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In the north central USA, Native North Americans are reviving their own culture and that of the buffalo, or bison.

Bought by WGBH Radio Boston, The Nature Podcast, South Dakota Public Broadcasting - Radio, and KSUT


  • Added: Feb 08, 2005
  • Length: 29:30
  • Purchases: 4
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Hot summer fun in the US state of South Dakota: The pow wow in the town of Porcupine on Pine Ridge Reservation is alive with jokes, music and dance.

Bought by WGDR, WGBH Radio Boston, South Dakota Public Broadcasting - Radio, KFAI Minneapolis, and KSUT


  • Added: Feb 18, 2005
  • Length: 29:31
  • Purchases: 5
Piece image
Radio Netherlands producer Martha Hawley takes two looks at Native American culture in the form of the Revival of the Buffalo and the exploration o...

Bought by KZYX, WGDR, WGBH Radio Boston, WETA, KQED and more


  • Added: Feb 23, 2005
  • Length: 01:00:11
  • Purchases: 8