Despite the catastrophic decline, there has been some progress in recent years to restore the bison population. Conservation efforts, such as the U.S. government’s pledge to restore bison through the Inflation Reduction Act and smaller restoration projects by groups like The Nature Conservancy, are working to bring the bison back to their native lands. But the bison population has yet to fully recover, and the species remains near-threatened.
Bethany Hughes argues that the photo of bison skulls represents more than just a historical atrocity—it highlights the ongoing issues of colonialism, capitalism, and environmental destruction. The image serves as a stark reminder of the ways consumer demand can drive colonial projects that exploit natural resources and harm Indigenous peoples.
As Hughes points out, when we objectify nature or dehumanize others, we lose sight of our relationship with the world around us. The photo of the bison skulls is not just a reminder of the past, but a call to examine how these systems still impact our environment and society today. It reminds us that the destruction of the bison was not only about killing animals—it was about killing cultures, economies, and communities.
This photo, while a symbol of past oppression, carries a message that challenges us to reflect on the continued exploitation of natural resources and the legacies of colonialism. It forces us to confront the ongoing ways in which we, as consumers, are part of the systems that perpetuate harm to both people and the planet.
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