American Bison - Bison As A Symbol

Bison As A Symbol

The American bison is often used in North America in official seals, flags, and logos. In the United States, the American bison is a popular symbol in the Great Plains states. Kansas, Oklahoma, and Wyoming have adopted the animal as their official state mammal, and many sports teams have chosen the bison as their mascot. In Canada, the bison is the official animal of the province of Manitoba and appears on the Manitoba flag. It is also used in the official coat of arms of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Several American coins feature the bison, most famously on the reverse side of the "buffalo nickel" from 1913 to 1938. In 2005, the United States Mint coined a nickel with a new depiction of the bison as part of its "Westward Journey" series. The Kansas and North Dakota state quarters, part of the "50 State Quarter" series, each feature bison. The Kansas state quarter has only the bison and does not feature any writing, while the North Dakota state quarter has two bison. The Yellowstone National Park Quarter also features a bison standing next to a geyser.

Other institutions which have adopted the bison as a symbol or mascot include:

• U.S. Department of the Interior
• Bethany College (West Virginia)
• Bucknell University
• Buffalo, New York
• Buffalo Bills
• Buffalo Bisons
• Buffalo Bulls
• Buffalo Grove High School
• Buffalo Sabres
• University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
• USS Buffalo submarine
• University of Colorado
• Gallaudet University
• Harding University
• Howard University
• Seal of the State of Indiana
• Lipscomb University
• Coat of Arms of Manitoba
• Flag of Manitoba
• University of Manitoba
• Marshall University
• Milligan College
• Independence Party of Minnesota
• Ralph Nader (mascot for his 2008 campaign for president)
• Nichols College
• North Dakota State University
• Oklahoma Baptist University
• Oklahoma City Thunder
• Point Park University
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police
• Southwestern Law School
• CFB Wainwright
• West Texas A&M University
• The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Alberta