As America turns 250, a Montana tribe holds a ceremony for its buffalo

The resurgence of the bison, once hunted to near extinction, is a metaphor for the Chippewa Cree Tribe’s struggles and resilience, members say.

ROCKY BOY’S RESERVATION, Mont. — In the remote reaches of north-central Montana, where the wide-open grasslands give way to the rugged beauty of the Bears Paw Mountains, America’s 250th birthday looks less like a star-spangled parade of waving flags and more like a quiet ceremony honoring the spirit of the buffalo.

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