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  • Is there room for the bison in America, anymore?

    Is there room for the bison in America, anymore?

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  • Appreciating the animal that symbolizes the American West.

    Appreciating the animal that symbolizes the American West.

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  • Nearing extinction, the buffalo was hunted for posterity.

    Nearing extinction, the buffalo was hunted for posterity.

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  • Remembering Big Medicine

    Remembering Big Medicine

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  • Close-up of lone bison in Yellowstone National Park

    Close-up of lone bison in Yellowstone National Park

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  • Photo, circa 1905, of a bison in a capturing facility in Yellowstone

    Photo, circa 1905, of a bison in a capturing facility in Yellowstone

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  • Black and white photo of Plains Indian with bison skull and prayer pipe

    Black and white photo of Plains Indian with bison skull and prayer pipe

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  • Taxidermied bison from the William Hornaday Smithsonian exhibit

    Taxidermied bison from the William Hornaday Smithsonian exhibit

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  • Photo of a collection of bison heads killed from the Kansas Pacific Railway

    Photo of a collection of bison heads killed from the Kansas Pacific Railway

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  • Bison cow and two calves, Yellowstone National Park

    Bison cow and two calves, Yellowstone National Park

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  • “Buffalo Junction” sign near Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump, southern Alberta, Canada

    “Buffalo Junction” sign near Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump, southern Alberta, Canada

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  • Two bison butting heads in Yellowstone National Park

    Two bison butting heads in Yellowstone National Park

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  • Bison in winter storm by a Yellowstone National Park sign

    Bison in winter storm by a Yellowstone National Park sign

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  • Animation still of a bison in silhouette on a grassy knoll, animated by Andy Smetanka

    Animation still of a bison in silhouette on a grassy knoll, animated by Andy Smetanka

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The Film

Facing the Storm: Story of the American Bison documents the complete history of human relations with the largest land mammal on the continent. From the first North Americans who relied on bison for food, shelter, and clothing for at least 10,000 years, to modern wildlife conservationists — descendants of those first North Americans among them — Facing the Storm: Story of the American Bison introduces viewers to a rich history of human sustenance, exploitation, conservation, and spiritual relations with the ultimate icon of wild America.

The Filmmakers

  1. Doug Hawes-DavisProducer/Director
  2. Daniel DauteriveProducer
  3. Rita E. PastoreProducer

Doug Hawes-Davis and Drury Gunn Carr co-founded High Plains Films in 1992. Since then, the "do it all yourself" filmmakers have collaborated on more than 20 documentaries. Their documentary feature Libby, Montana (2007) was broadcast nationally on the acclaimed PBS series, P.O.V. and was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2008. Other High Plains Films include Brave New West (2008), Varmints (1998), Killing Coyote (2000), This Is Nowhere (2002), and The Naturalist (2001). Their work is intended to provide insight into the relationship between human society and the natural world.

  • This film premiered on April 26, 2012 on Independent Lens on PBS

How to See It

Film Details

Genre:Documentary
Region:US - West, United States
Length:60 minutes
Topics:Rural Life, Environment

Co-production of ITVS, in association with KUFM-TV/MontanaPBS

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