The bison embodies a paradox: immense strength paired with quiet calm. Weighing more than 900 kilograms and standing around 2 metres tall, these giants roam North America's grasslands and river valleys in mobile herds. Photographed here in Yellowstone National Park, in Wyoming, United States, they once numbered in the tens of millions but were nearly eradicated in the 19th century—a loss that reshaped ecosystems and disrupted lifeways.

For countless Native Nations, bison have been revered as teachers, providers and spiritual relatives, with every part used thoughtfully for sustenance, clothing, tools and fuel. That's why tribal communities lead efforts to help them reclaim prairie, wetland and forest habitats, forming social herds led by matriarchs, sparring males and curious calves.

To stand before them is to feel the ancient, the interrupted and the resurgent come together in a single moment. The bison's survival reminds us that heritage is not only remembered—it is lived, woven into the fabric of rugged landscapes and enduring traditions.