Help return Buffalo to their homelands and Native American caretakers
A Buffalo Legacy
Tanka Fund rancher partner Virgil Two-Eagle, Sr., shares his family legacy and how Tanka Fund helped make his dreams become a reality. With his determination, teachings, and the Buffalo, Virgil has changed his family, his future, and the lands forever. Wopila, Virgil, for everything you've done thus far and we are privileged to be a small part in it.
“Today is my last day without Buffalo.”
Alex and Wayne Frederick as they welcomed their first Buffalo
“Our people have been people of the Buffalo for centuries.”
Buffalo caretaker Bamm Brewer on the meaning of Buffalo to Native Americans
Our Impact in 2023
Since 2014, we have been working to return Buffalo to Native American Buffalo caretakers. In 2023, we returned 356 Buffalo to their homelands; added 7 new Buffalo ranchers for a total of 19; and provided $780,000 in grants and technical services to our rancher partners.
Tanka Fund’s rancher partners now represent more than 1,800 Buffalo over 100,000 acres of land. Our 5-year goal is to increase that to 500,000 acres and 5,000 Buffalo or more.
We are the only organization that works solely with and financially funds Native American family- and community-owned Buffalo ranches.
In turn, these Buffalo caretakers serve their own communities through maintaining cultural herds, providing healthy Buffalo meat to community members, and mentoring younger Buffalo caretakers.
