Our first Tribal Buffalo partnership
Last week marked a first for Tanka Fund as we provided direct technical service to a Tribal Buffalo program. While we typically partner with Native ranchers, this visit to the Fort Belknap Indian Community filled a critical gap that had previously been left unaddressed.
Thanks to the partnership of First Nations Development Institute (FNDI), we met with Herd Manager Bronc SpeakThunder, Yvonne Stanley, Administrative Assistant, Teri Harper, Buffalo Center Research Coordinator and professor at Aaniiih Nakoda College, four young teaching assistants (Tanner, Shaun, James, and Mikkel), and Dr. Sean Chandler, President of Aaniiih Nakoda College. Together, we toured the reservation, the college, and the two Tribal herds. One herd is dedicated to cultural and ceremonial purposes, while the other is focused on production and long-term sustainability. Both are vital to community health and sovereignty.
Our time at Fort Belknap centered on conversations about strengthening the Buffalo program and identifying next steps. These discussions emphasized cultural priorities such as ceremonial harvests, student training, and community access, while also exploring operational needs including processing capacity, cold storage, market opportunities, and disaster preparedness.
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Tanka Fund at Makoce Ag’s 4th Annual Convergence
We were honored to attend Makoce Agriculture Development's 4th Annual Convergence at Wóyute Regenerative Production Farm in Porcupine, SD, on September 17–18, 2025. This community-rooted gathering brought together diverse voices to reflect on today’s food, health, and governance systems while envisioning the systems of tomorrow.
The event emphasized food sovereignty, Indigenous knowledge, and community-led innovations that build stronger, more resilient local food systems.
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Funder Spotlight: Native-led Ecological Restoration of Bison-Grazed Land
Tanka Fund, with support from range ecology experts and trained field technicians, is offering a new program for Native Buffalo Producers from May 2025 to April 2028. The goal is to partner with 34 producers and improve management on 300,000 acres of Buffalo-grazed land. Participants may receive custom conservation and emergency preparedness planning, technical assistance, mapping and monitoring tools, educational resources, and peer learning opportunities.
The program blends Traditional Ecological Knowledge with USDA frameworks, offering practical support for drought planning, herd health, and regenerative grazing. Open to Native producers at any stage, this Native-led, hands-on initiative is designed to strengthen herds, restore land, and build long-term resilience.
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Technical Service Spotlight: Tips for running a successful ranch
Building a thriving Buffalo ranch requires clear goals, strong planning, and the right support. Start by getting involved in the Buffalo community. Resources are available through the Tanka Fund, which also mentors Native ranchers, National Bison Association and InterTribal Agriculture Council. Staffing is essential, so consider experienced caretakers and roles your operation may need. Create both a business and herd health plan, and think long-term with succession and emergency preparedness strategies.
Assess and secure your land with help from programs like Tanka Fund, Akiptan, USDA Farm Service Agency, and Indian Land Tenure Foundation. Connect with your local Natural Resource Conservation Service office for grazing and conservation planning, and explore partnerships with organizations like Audubon and WWF that offer cost-share programs. Don’t overlook the basics: Buffalo-grade fencing, water and soil testing, and infrastructure like corrals and chutes. Keep detailed records on herd health, costs, and growth, and practice rotational grazing to protect the land.
Above all, remember your purpose. Buffalo caretaking is hard work but deeply rewarding, blending cultural values with ecological restoration. With the right preparation and partnerships, a sustainable and successful ranch is within reach.
You can contact our range ecologist team below:
janet.moore@tankafund.org
zintkala.eiring@tankafund.org
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Tanka Trivia
Last Month’s Trivia Question:
Buffalo are known as protectors of the prairie, shaping the land as they roam. Which much smaller relative on the Plains helps keep that same land alive by building underground communities that nurture soil, water, and countless other beings?
Answer: Prairie dogs. Thank you for all the participation in last month’s question!
This Month’s Question:
How much water does a Buffalo drink a day?
Think you know?
Email your answer to info@tankafund.org for a chance to win exclusive Tanka Fund merch!
🦬 Good luck, and thank you for supporting Buffalo restoration!
Sneak peek!
We have been working behind the scenes on something we cannot wait to share with you. It is a project that celebrates gratitude in action and highlights the connection between Buffalo, community, and culture. At the same time, we are putting the finishing touches on a piece that will carry you through the seasons ahead, filled with stories, images, and inspiration you will not want to miss.
Your support makes this work possible. If you would like to help us continue building momentum, please consider making a gift today. Together, we are returning Buffalo to Native lands, lives, and economies.
SUPPORT THE RETURN NOW
Stay tuned. Next month you will see what we have been creating together.
