Facing the Storm: Story of the American Bison

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Facing the Storm 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 introduces viewers to a rich history of human sustenance, exploitation, conservation, and spiritual relations with the ultimate icon of wild America. Facing the Storm is a Co-Production with The Independent Television Service (ITVS) & Montana Public Television.

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About Facing the Storm: Story of the American Bison
FACING THE STORM is the epic account of our tempestuous relationship with the iconic symbol of wild America. It explores the visionary quest to protect and restore bison and details the inextricable relationship of the Plains Indians with the animal. The film also recounts the harrowing near-destruction of the species in the late nineteenth century -- from an estimated 30 million bison to a mere 23 individuals by 1885. It graphically exposes the annual slaughter of bison outside of Yellowstone National Park, where the largest genetically-pure herd remains in semi-captivity. Finally, the film explores the epic vision -- and monumental obstacles -- to restore bison to immense tracts of the Great Plains. This involves a dramatic transformation of how we understand the Great Plains - from a utilitarian worldview to a fully-functional ecosystem that combines a lost culture with modern ecological science and contemporary economies, and includes the full range of original species that have been largely vanquished from the region. FACING THE STORM shows us that the American bison is not just an icon of a lost world, but may very well show us the path to the future.