The Great Return: Buffalo restoration and the livelihoods of Tribal ranchers

Background/Question/Methods

Thirty million plus buffalo killed at the end of the 1800s, devastating the economy of many tribes across the continent. That disappearance also contributed to a different ecological lose that we probably do not understand as thousands of domestic livestock took the place of this native species. What could the reintroduction of even a fraction those buffalo mean to land, lives and economy of Native people on Native lands that are still controlled by Native people? Tanka Funds mission is to return buffalo (bison) to the land, lives and economy of Native people through granting funds to families and communities buffalo projects to build regenerative opportunities that will support the reintroduction of these culturally and ecologically significant animals. Tanka Fund provides technical assistance, training and finances to help establish and maintain buffalo projects that are managed or owned by Native people. Tanka Fund is also engaged in ecological and conservation planning with buffalo projects and helping to build business plans that can be sustainable. With its sister projects, Native American Natural Foods (Tanka Bar) and Tanka Resilient Agriculture Company (TRAC) they are assisting with local, regional and national markets that can help to rebuild a buffalo economy.

Results/Conclusions

Currently, Tanka Fund is working with 11 different Native managed and/or owned family and community buffalo projects on five different reservations/land holdings and contributing the reintroduction of 1000 head of buffalo on 100,000 acres. The goal is to help establish with Native families and communities millions of acres of buffalo restoration projects that can impact the conservation of the land and help establish an economy that is supported by buffalo.