TYLER “TJ” HEINERT

Tyler "TJ" Heinert is a Technical Service Provider at Tanka Fund, supporting Buffalo producers and Tribal Nations with the practical, cultural, and ecological knowledge that comes from a lifetime on the land. An enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, TJ is a third generation cowboy rancher from the Rosebud Reservation, carrying forward a family legacy rooted in stewardship of livestock and the land beneath them.

Before joining Tanka Fund, TJ managed the largest Native-owned and operated Buffalo herd, overseeing the day-to-day care, health, and well-being of the animals. For TJ, that work was never purely about livestock management. It was grounded in the understanding that Buffalo are relatives, teachers, and an essential part of restoring healthy ecosystems and strengthening the relationship between people, animals, and the land.

TJ has developed deep expertise in how Buffalo can serve as a powerful tool for regenerative agriculture, helping restore landscapes, rebuild ecosystems, and bring balance back to areas affected over generations. That knowledge, paired with his cultural grounding, makes him a trusted voice for producers navigating both the practical and relational dimensions of Buffalo restoration.

He is equally committed to the next generation. Through mentorship, cultural teachings, and hands-on experience, TJ works to help young people reconnect with their culture, understand their responsibilities to their communities, and find their own paths forward in this work.

Outside of Tanka Fund, TJ is an outdoorsman who enjoys hunting, fishing, and time on the land. He also serves as a rodeo pickup man, keeping his lifelong connection to horses, ranching, and the cowboy way of life close.

Email: tyler.heinert@tankafund.org