The next generation reconnects to the Buffalo
“Seeing our youth learn from the Buffalo and share that knowledge with
their families reminds us why this work matters.”
That reflection from Tanka Fund Executive Director Dawn Sherman set the tone for this month’s Buffalo harvest at Makoce Agriculture Development on the Pine Ridge Reservation, where students from four schools stepped into a powerful day of cultural learning and community connection. With guidance from Oyáte Wóokiye, Patti Harris-Baldes and her women-led crew, along with TJ Heinart and NDN Collective’s Foster Cournoyer Hogan, students saw how the Buffalo sustains our people — not only through food, but through the teachings and values that strengthen our communities across generations.
Many students shared that they had never seen a Buffalo harvested before. The day offered them a clearer sense of how their food connects back to the land, their families and long-standing practices. The conversations and questions that emerged showed genuine curiosity about tradition and the role of the Buffalo in community life. With the harvested meat going to students, schools and families for the holiday season, the experience became both a meaningful lesson and a reminder of how culture and community support one another.
Read the full story and see how this harvest strengthened youth, culture and community.
Native American Heritage Month: Native American Hall of Fame
November is Native American Heritage Month, and Tanka Fund was honored to attend the recent National Native American Hall of Fame celebration at the OKANA Resort and Indoor Waterpark in Oklahoma City.
We were invited by our rancher partners Tim Harjo (Chiricahua Apache, Comanche, and Seminole) and Jessica Harjo (San Carlos Apache). Tim proudly serves on the Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors.
This year’s inductees included:
Ross Anderson — Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes / Mescalero-Chiricahua Apache (Athletics)
Notah Begay III — Navajo (Athletics)
Dwight W. Birdwell — Cherokee Nation (Military)
Deb Haaland — Laguna Pueblo (Government)
W. Ron Allen — Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe (Government)
Lynn Valbuena — Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation (Government)
Leaders such as Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt (Osage Nation) and Representative Sharice Davids (Ho-Chunk Nation) were in attendance to show their support and celebrate these outstanding honorees.
Founded in 2016, the National Native American Hall of Fame recognizes and honors the contemporary achievements of Native Americans from the Civil War era to the present. Through its exhibits, education programs, and ongoing initiatives, the Hall preserves and shares the stories of those who have made lasting contributions to their communities and to the nation.
It was an inspiring evening celebrating leadership, legacy, and Native excellence.
Tanka Fund on the move
Tanka Fund is on the road and connecting around Buffalo restoration at two upcoming agriculture-centered events:
• IAC Annual Conference — December 9-11, 2025 at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Nevada.
This annual gathering unites Tribal producers, leaders, and advocates to explore and advance developments across the agricultural field.
MORE INFO HERE
• National Bison Association Winter Conference — January 21-24, 2026 at the Omni Interlocken in Broomfield, CO.
This conference brings together farmers, ranchers, processors, marketers, conservationists, academia, and the public sector to learn from expert speakers, share challenges and successes, and strengthen partnerships throughout the Buffalo industry. Our Executive Director, Dawn Sherman, will also be presenting on returning Buffalo back to the land.
MORE INFO HERE
Cultural Minute: Wazíyata, The North Direction (Red)
In Lakota teachings, Wazíyata, the North direction, carries the cold winds of winter, winds that cleanse the land and signal a time of rest. These winds strip the leaves from the trees and blanket the earth in snow, reminding us that even the harshest seasons have purpose. Winter teaches preparation, reflection, and respect for the cycles that sustain life. It is a time when the world becomes quiet and people turn inward to learn, heal, and gather strength.
The North also represents the challenges each person must face. Just as the Buffalo turns its head into the storm rather than away from it, Wazíyata teaches patience, endurance, and courage. Hardship becomes a teacher rather than an obstacle. During Native American Heritage Month, this direction reminds us that our communities have faced many storms and have endured through strength, clarity, and connection to culture. Wazíyata honors that resilience and calls us to carry it forward into the seasons ahead.
Tanka Trivia
Last Month’s Trivia Question:
What do both Bears and Buffalo have in common?
Answer: They are both a keystone species.
This Month’s Question:
True or false: Buffalo are social animals with roles like babysitters and elders.
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!
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