Goodshield became involved with the Buffalo Field Campaign in 2001, his aunt Rosalie Little Thunder having co-founded the campaign with Mike Mease in 1998 after 1200 buffalo were killed for no justifiable reason. He spends winters there with other field volunteers patrolling the activities of the department of livestock and parks department using filming and legislation to address the issue and hold parties accountable for their actions.
The campaign has created success in its aims and continues to provide needed protection for the buffalo.
from www.BuffaloFieldCampaign.org
Buffalo Bill of Rights
1. To be honored with respect to their cultural and spiritual significance
to the Indigenous people of this continent.
2. To be recognized for their potential to educate our communities
regarding sustainable co-existence between humans and wildlife.
3. Re-establish historical migration patterns.
4. Establish a sustainable population growth rate.
5. Fulfill their inherent ecological role within their native range.
6. Exist within their innate social structure and functional herd dynamic.
7. Live out their natural life cycle as a wild species.
8. Exist as the genetic wellspring for future wild, free ranging bison populations.
Buffalo Field Campaign Vision, Mission, and Core ValuesVision- We envision a life for buffalo in which they thrive within the state of inherent wildness as expressed in the Buffalo Bill of Rights. We also envision a world in which buffalo and all other native wildlife are given precedence on public land, and that buffalo herds will remain as a self-regulating sustainable population, and a viable genetic source for the future evolution potential of the species.
Mission- To stop the slaughter of Yellowstone’s wild buffalo herd, protect the natural habitat of wild free-roaming buffalo and native wildlife, and to work with people of all Nations to honor the sacredness of the wild buffalo.
Core Values- Sustainability, Community, Education, Wildlife, Co-existence, Ecology/Phenology, Environmental Activism, Preservation, Sound Science, Respect, Integrity, Honor, Spirituality, Creativity, Fun, Not bound by convention, Non-violence, Open Communications, and Honor all cultures and celebrate diversity
See 9/11/03- AUDIO FILE: BUFFALO FIELD CAMPAIGN INTERVIEW
Download a BFC Trifold Flyer (PDF)
The Buffalo Field Campaign (BFC) is the only group working in the field, everyday, to stop the slaughter and harassment of Yellowstone’s wild buffalo. Volunteers from around the world defend buffalo on their traditional winter habitat and advocate for their protection. Our daily patrols stand with the buffalo on the ground they choose to be on, and document every move made against them.
Volunteers spend all day, from sunrise until sunset, watching and documenting actions taken against the buffalo. We run patrols from cars, skis and snowshoes to protect buffalo outside the park. Tactics range from video documentation to nonviolent civil disobedience.
BFC enjoys incredible support and participation from the local community. Residents allow us to post signs on their property designating them as “Buffalo Safe Zones.” We offer a fence repair service to mitigate damage caused by wildlife. Locals join us on our daily rounds, and many support our patrols with hot drinks and food.
All of our work happens because people are willing to take a break from their usual schedules and come help. Over 3000 people from all over the country and around the world have joined us in our log cabin on Hebgen Lake to help stop the buffalo slaughter. We feed and house all our volunteers in our cabin and Gardner satellite camp. (See news article- 4/24/03- Earth Day heroes: Amani Hays). Volunteers patrol for buffalo by skis, snowshoes, or cars. Everyone communicates by a network of hand-held radios, and also carries a video camera.
Our office runs outreach programs, including slide and video presentations, summer tabling in Yellowstone Park, website and e-mail updates, and national media coverage through press releases and video.
