Buffalo hunt leaves students impressed

Students who participated in the 12th Annual Native American Student Services Buffalo Hunt returned Sunday. The students left on Wednesday and spent five days visiting many archeological sites.

As they traveled through Wyoming into Montana, the participants visited many different sites, such as Little Big Horn, Medicine Wheel Park and the Crow Tribe archeological site. The students also visited the ice caves, petroglyphs and ancient trails along the way.

Students who participated in the hunt experienced every aspect of a traditional buffalo hunt, from tracking the buffalo to cleaning it.

Students also visited sites that were not open to tourists, and this presented a greater insight into a culture that is often overlooked.

David Wright, a senior anthropology major, said he gained a sense of what it was like to walk in another world.

Solomon Little Owl, the director of NASS, said he was very excited about the outcome of the trip and that the students who participated were amazing.

“The trip was important because we, as students of UNC, have gotten a greater glimpse of Native American culture,” said Chance Howricha, a senior medical anthropology major.

Participants of the hunt said they were impressed by the hospitality of the Native Americans they met along their journey.

Cody Dalpra, a senior anthropology major, said the trip was a unique experience that doesn’t happen anywhere else.

“We don’t get many chances to see other cultures,” Dalpra said.

The Native Americans also gave the participants a lesson in cuisine by inviting them to try their foods, such as deer meat, moose, plums and choke cherries. As the trip came to an end, the participants said they did not want to leave, but were happy they were able to participate in such a unique and different experience.