PBS to Air Lily Gladstone Film: Blackfeet Buffalo Return
“`html
Lily Gladstone Champions Indigenous Voices with New Documentary and Golden Globes Legacy
Table of Contents
– Updated November 23, 2025, 02:04:26
Documentary Focuses on Blackfeet Nation’s Buffalo Restoration
Lily Gladstone, the Oscar-nominated star of “Killers of the Flower Moon,” narrates and executive produces a new documentary,
“Bring them Home/Aiskótáhkapiyaaya,”
which chronicles the Blackfeet Nation’s efforts to restore buffalo to their ancestral lands. The documentary is scheduled to air on most PBS stations on Monday, January 8, 2024.
The film arrives during a period of increasing tension surrounding land use on Indigenous reservations, involving conflicts between ranchers, conservationists, and tribal elders. The restoration of buffalo is central to the Blackfeet Nation’s cultural and ecological revitalization.
Gladstone’s Historic Golden Globes Win and Commitment to Representation
Gladstone made history at the 2024 Golden Globes by becoming the first person identifying as Indigenous to win Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for her role in “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
in an interview with Axios, Gladstone emphasized her commitment to centering Indigenous voices in her work. She joined the “Bring Them Home” project specifically to ensure that Indigenous perspectives were prioritized throughout the production.
The Importance of Buffalo to the Blackfeet Nation
The buffalo holds immense cultural, spiritual, and economic significance for the Blackfeet Nation. Historically, the buffalo provided sustenance, shelter, clothing, and tools. The near-extinction of the buffalo in the 19th century, due to overhunting and deliberate eradication policies, had a devastating impact on the Blackfeet people.
Restoring the buffalo population is not merely an ecological endeavor; it’s a crucial step towards healing historical trauma and reclaiming cultural identity. The documentary showcases the Blackfeet Nation’s proactive approach to conservation and their determination to revitalize their ancestral way of life.
| Historical Buffalo Population (approx.) | Buffalo Population in 1900 (approx.) | Current Buffalo Population (Blackfeet nation) |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60 million | Less than 1,000 | Approximately 350 (as of 2023) |
Data illustrating the dramatic decline and ongoing