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Write a follow up story for the 21st Century New York Times. Knowing what you now know about Wounded Hawk's Territory and the issues facing people, plants and animals of the Great Plains, respond to the two pieces written by Frank and Deborah Popper.

The Poppers coined the Buffalo Commons Metaphor in response to the continuous decline in human population of the Great Plains over the past fifty years. Their suggestion to bring down fences and reestablish the buffalo and restore the plains to its former grandeur and rugged beauty has met with serious critisism and acclaim.

Your Task
Research the issues, outline the pros and cons of the Popper's proposal. What changes in thinking and what actions have occurred since the Poppers first wrote their article? Keep different sides of the issue in mind as you research. Farmers and ranchers want their fences to keep cattle in. Native people are trying to repurchase their original reservation land. Could the Great Plains and the buffalo make a come-back? What would environmentalists argue? Write this story for today’s New York Times reader. Consider the people, plants, animals and issues.

• Get started by reading the Popper’s controversial article published in 1987.
• Their follow-up article, The Buffalo Commons as a Regional Metaphor and Geographic Method, written in 1997, discusses their surprise to the public response to the Buffalo Commons story.
• Organizations such as Great Plains Restoration have made strides over the past 15 years to build support and understanding for the value of the Plains and the need to revive and protect it.
• Finish your preporatory research by reading the Guradian Newspaper article, The Bison are Coming, February 7, 2003, which describes current issues regarding the Buffalo Commons and what it means to Native People. Many natives in 21st century America are returning to their homeland and support the idea of reinstating the land.
• Research in the library, local historical society, or fish and game office.

GUIDLINES for Buffalo Commons Projects:

Your story must be based on facts. Remember the WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, HOW of a good newspaper person.

PUBLISH your story following the rubric. Use modern technology to create an authentic looking newspaper column. Include authentic language, typeface, pictures or drawings of today.