The Indicator from Planet Money · October 12, 2026 · 9m

The echo of the bison (Encore)

Nearly 30 million bison once roamed North America before U.S. policy and white settlers drove them to the brink of extinction. An economist quantifies the economic devastation this caused to Plains tribes, while a member of the Blackfeet Nation describes ongoing efforts to restore bison herds as a path to cultural and economic renewal.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Preview

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The Near Extinction of the Bison

U.S. government and settler actions in the late 1800s annihilated the bison population, reducing it from tens of millions to near zero.

Claude ChatGPT Gemini

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Economic Consequences for Plains Tribes

The bison collapse led to dire economic and social consequences for Native American communities that persist today.

Claude ChatGPT Gemini

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