We Are Still Here.
We are coming up on the 250th year of this nation: 250 years of a history that tried and failed to erase Native communities and the Buffalo we have always called relatives. We are still here, and so are they.
When we think about this history, and the Fourth of July specifically, the reality is our Tribal nations view it differently. Some have served this country as soldiers, while many others do not see this as a time to commemorate. The backdrop has always been colonization: the removal from our ancestral lands, and Buffalo murdered to near extinction.
"For us it is a story of continued fight for survival," said Phillip Gaudon, Tanka Fund Marketing Director and a citizen of the Mi'kmaq Nation. "We are still here, fighting for our homelands and our Buffalo relatives."
Bringing Buffalo to the lands, lives, and economies of Native people is about reclamation and restoration. Buffalo restoration is one of the strongest ways to bring back into balance what was lost, stolen, and removed. Our relatives revitalize the land, and their restoration pushes back against generations of cultural and economic destruction. Today their numbers have grown to roughly 450,000, and 250 years later they continue to climb.
This year we are asking you to stand with us. When you support Tanka Fund with a gift of $250.00 or more, you help return Buffalo to Native hands, and you will receive a 2nd Edition "Infinity Journey of the Buffalo" wool blanket by Eighth Generation, the first Native owned company to produce wool blankets. This gift is available while supplies last.
Over the coming weeks, we are also asking our rancher partners and staff what the last 250 years means to them.
“We are still standing on this land as a reminder of our resilience — what we value and hold dear isn’t going anywhere,” Phillip added. “Neither are we.”
2nd Tanka Fund Limited Edition Collectible Blanket
Infinity Journey of the Buffalo
Welcome to a narrative woven in warmth and tradition. Delaena Uses Knife, an esteemed Mnicoujou, Lakota artist from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, presents the "Infinity Journey of the Buffalo" blanket – a piece that is more than a mere source of warmth; it's a fabric imbued with the stories and teachings of a rich heritage.
Crafted with intention and reverence for her culture, this blanket embodies symbols that hold significant meaning in the Lakota tradition. The square and equal sign motifs at each end represent the life path, illustrating the passage from one era to the next. The harmonious geometric patterns woven into the design are emblematic of the Lakota concepts of Wakan Tanka—the great mystery—and Mitákuye Oyás'iŋ, expressing the interconnectedness of all beings. At the heart of the blanket, a celebration of new life emerges with a calf in motion, guarded by the watchful buffalo, signifying the enduring journey of these sacred beings.
This exquisite piece is born from a collaboration with Eighth Generation, the first Native-owned company to produce wool blankets. Based in Seattle, WA, Eighth Generation is committed to supporting Native Designers and offering an authentic alternative to “Native-inspired” products through original, 100% Native-designed creations.
Product Features
Artist: Delaena Uses Knife
Quality: Composed of 100% New Zealand Wool Pile for unparalleled softness and warmth, paired with a sturdy Polyester Warp.
Heritage: A proud creation from Eighth Generation, which stands for the empowerment and promotion of Native artists and designers
The Infinity Journey of the Buffalo blanket transcends its function to become a work of art, a beacon of identity, and a living piece of Lakota legacy. We invite you to wrap yourself in the story, the spirit, and the artistry woven into this luxurious woolen creation.
Donate $250 or more and we will send you the blanket as a thank-you gift.*
*Only one blanket per donation