Thirty-two bison died in Quapaw, Oklahoma, over the summer after an equipment failure cut off the pasture's water supply, and among the dead was Frosty, a rare white bull whose loss has struck a deep cultural chord within the tribe. The 143 surviving bison are recovering from dehydration as officials investigate the cause.
The Quapaw Nation is investigating the deaths. A report cited by NewsRadio 1000 KTOK points to a mechanical failure that left the pasture without water over the summer before supply was eventually restored.
A Rare White Bull With Deep Cultural Meaning
Frosty was a sacred white bull whose loss carried deep cultural significance for the tribe. White buffalo carry deep spiritual meaning across many Native American cultures.
Sixteen Years Building a Herd for Food Sovereignty
The Quapaw Nation began building its bison herd in 2010, expanding it over the years through federal conservation transfers from national parks, including a 2019 transfer from Grand Canyon National Park, per the same account from NewsRadio 1000 KTOK.
The Quapaw Nation has an enrolled population of approximately 6,060 citizens, the station reports. The tribe's bison program fits into a broader movement of Native-led conservation: the InterTribal Buffalo Council, established in 1992, coordinates bison restoration across 82 member tribes in 20 states, managing more than 20,000 bison across a million acres of tribal lands, according to background compiled on Wikipedia.
Quapaw Wildlife Code Took Effect September 1
The Quapaw Nation Business Committee enacted the Quapaw Nation Wildlife Code in July, and the code took effect September 1, according to the Quapaw Nation.
The bison losses also come amid other administrative changes within the tribe's food infrastructure. In September, the Quapaw Nation announced an operational realignment of its Food Services Authority that included reducing roughly 20 positions to improve financial sustainability across its food initiatives, the tribe said.
The Quapaw Nation continues to investigate the cause of the water system failure.
