July 25, 2025

Long ago the four nations lived in harmony until the fire nation attacked. One of my favorite summer traditions so far has been the frequent Avatar nights hosted by Suzy (ms. sustainability and risk specialist) and Trey (my beloved coworker). The ritual of it all is always the same. We hang up a bedsheet, set up the projector, and gather round with vending machine snacks for a night of epic battling and adventures. Depending on sleepiness, we watch 1-3 episodes each gathering and clap at the end of each episode. There are several reasons why the show is special to us, but the overarching reason is the relatability we've all found in the show. Just like in Avatar, here in Yellowstone we live in villages separated by distinct elemental features. Lake Village is the Northern Water Tribe and Grant Village (the southern village on the lake) is the Southern Water Tribe. Old Faithful Village is the Fire Nation because they have a dominating Inn that looks like a fortress and also have the highest concentration of geothermic features (geysers, hot springs, etc.) Mammoth Village is valuable, just like being an Air bender. Mammoth is the home to many of our supervisors and trainers. There is a lot of history in Mammoth, and Aang the air bending Avatar carries a lot of history with him, having been trapped in ice for 100 years. Also, the distinct terraces in Mammoth are grey, and airy. Canyon Village is Earth tribe. Known for the expansive Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, there is nothing but wondrous rocky terrain here. A given. The next thread between us and the show is the Bison. Here, Bison roam freely. We see them every day. In Avatar, the team travels on the back of a flying Bison named Appa. Watching Appa, the ultimate Bison, reminds us of our home and the power and beauty of the animal. The Avatar and his water nation friends adventure around these different villages, meeting new people and finding utility in each of their elemental resources. The show centers around balance and has helped to grow my appreciation for the unique characteristics of each village here at Yellowstone. I look forward to Avatar nights each night. As we watch Aang and his friends work to restore harmony, we draw connections between their brawls/conflicts and our daily lives here in the park. We always die laughing at the random similarities we find similar. I am grateful for this show, its message, the Water Nation community I get to watch with, and the beautiful ecosystem I get to call home.