Tanka Fund attends ANA post-award training in Oklahoma City
Tanka Fund staff attended the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) Post-Award Training in Oklahoma City, OK on January 21–22, 2026. The training brought together ANA awardees to strengthen knowledge around grant compliance, reporting, and systems needed to successfully manage ANA-funded projects.
5 Key Points:
The training was required as part of Tanka Fund’s ANA Social and Economic Development Strategies (SEDS) Grant award.
Staff gained critical guidance on grant compliance, reporting requirements, and navigating ANA systems like the Payment Management System.
A major takeaway was the need for strong internal controls and policies to ensure compliance and long-term grant success.
The training strengthened connections and capacity, aligning with ANA’s mission of self-sufficiency and supporting Tanka Fund’s long-term goals for Native Buffalo producers and community-based development.
Read longer story below:
Tanka Fund team members recently attended the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) Post-Award Training in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, held January 21–22, 2026. The training brought together ANA awardees from across Indian Country to strengthen understanding of grant compliance, reporting requirements, and long-term project success.
Tanka Fund staff in attendance included Rachel Hunter (Operations Manager), Zintkala Rivera (Range Ecologist), and Cynthia “Cindy” Tiger (Grant Manager). Additional partners and collaborators were also present, including representatives from the Texas Tribal Buffalo Project, Makoce Agriculture Development, and other ANA award recipients.
As a recipient of the ANA Social and Economic Development Strategies (SEDS) Grant, participation in this training was a required part of the award. The sessions focused on the importance of regulatory compliance in grant management, as well as practical guidance on navigating ANA systems, submitting reports, and using the Payment Management System.
“This training helped clarify so many questions without me even having to raise my hand,” shared one team member. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to learn directly from ANA staff and connect with other awardees. It also gave us contacts we can reach out to when challenges come up.”
A major theme of the training was the need for strong internal controls and clear organizational policies to ensure compliance and long-term grant success. ANA emphasized its commitment to strengthening Native communities through economic development, cultural preservation, and long-term self-sufficiency — values that align closely with Tanka Fund’s mission.
Tanka Fund supports Native Buffalo ranchers who are rebuilding herds on Tribal and Native lands in ways that strengthen food systems, create local economic opportunity, and reconnect communities with lifeways tied to Buffalo. Like ANA, Tanka Fund’s work is grounded in community-driven solutions that build capacity from within.
“ANA’s focus on self-sufficiency and community-driven development reflects what we see every day in Native Buffalo work,” said Dawn Sherman, Executive Director of Tanka Fund. “Native producers are rebuilding herds not only as an agricultural effort, but as a way to strengthen local economies, restore food systems, and carry forward cultural knowledge. Support that builds capacity within communities is what allows this work to endure.”
Looking ahead, Tanka Fund hopes to pursue additional ANA opportunities to strengthen Native producer networks, expand access to technical assistance for Buffalo ranchers, and support youth and community engagement around Native food systems and land-based learning.
ANA’s focus on long-term community development reflects the same long view that guides Tanka Fund — supporting healthy herds, strong land management, and thriving Native economies for generations to come.
