Our Rancher Partners: Patra and David Wise
David Wise (Ojibwe), co-owner of Native Wise LLC, discovered his ancestral connection to Chief Buffalo during a work project that became a personal calling. Guided by a dream, he and his wife Patra began raising Buffalo to restore cultural ties and community healing. Since acquiring their ranch in 2021, they’ve grown their herd from 12 to 47 and now host youth programs and community gatherings centered around the Buffalo.
Key Points:
Ancestral Calling: David Wise traced his lineage to Chief Buffalo and was inspired by a dream to "bring back my namesake," sparking a deeper mission.
Buffalo Restoration: The Wises received their first Buffalo in 2022 and now have 47, integrating traditional agricultural practices into ranch life.
Cultural Renewal: Native Wise emphasizes reconnecting with heritage through Buffalo caretaking and the return of the Ojibwe Spirit Horse.
Community Involvement: The ranch hosts tribal visitors and youth programs to educate and engage the next generation.
Healing Impact: David believes Buffalo are spiritual animals that foster community healing and cultural revival through presence and gatherings.
Read full story below.
What began as a work project for David Wise turned into a personal journey that uncovered his family roots and revealed a deep calling to care for Buffalo.
David (Ojibwe), co-owner of Native Wise LLC—a family-owned farm and ranch he operates with his wife Patra—was born and raised on the Fond du Lac Reservation. He said he traced his heritage back to Chief Buffalo, also known as Kechewaishke, a prominent Ojibwe leader of the Lake Superior Chippewa in the 19th century.
“I was immersed in researching his life and legacy, and one night I had a dream—it was Chief Buffalo telling me to ‘Bring back my namesake.’ This sent me on a journey which brought us to our partnership with Tanka and receiving our first Buffalo in 2022,” he said. “We were able to fulfill a literal dream that I think would make my ancestors proud.”
Native Wise strives to incorporate traditional agricultural knowledge into all aspects of food production, Buffalo stewardship, and the return of the Ojibwe Spirit Horse to its homelands. Currently, they have 47 Buffalo on their ranch, including seven new calves born this year. The Wises started with 12 and have grown their herd every year since—though not without challenges, especially when it comes to building infrastructure to support the Buffalo.
They purchased the ranch in 2021 and had to remove the old, broken-down cattle fencing on the land to begin constructing new electric fencing designed specifically for Buffalo. “We hire help as we can and rely on family members to help get fencing in,” David said. “It is a long, community-supported process.”
What has been most rewarding for the Wises in caretaking Buffalo has been the connection to that very community. Tribal members often visit the ranch and spend time with the animals. Native Wise also hosts youth classes to teach young Natives about the significance of Buffalo—how to care for them, and what they have meant to Indigenous people, both historically and today.
“Through this journey, we have learned that Buffalo are powerful, spiritual animals that have the ability to bring communities together. Buffalo were taken from us around the time we were placed on these reservations,” he said. “Bringing them back to our communities is a chance to renew our connection to our ancestors, our culture, and restore our sense of community. Having the Buffalo has encouraged many gatherings here on the ranch, which fosters positive interactions with youth and elders on a regular basis. Buffalo are healing, and they are definitely doing their part to heal our community.”
Photos by Scott Streble.
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