Buffalo returned to ancestral lands in Indigenous-Led Movement

RAPID CITY – More than a dozen In­digenous communities welcomed over 540 buffalo, also known as American bison, back to ancestral grazing lands across the nation late last year as part of a multi-state, Indigenous-led initiative by the InterTribal Buffalo Council (ITBC), Tanka Fund and partner The Nature Conservancy (TNC). The initiative’s goal is to restore this key­stone species, which plays a crucial role in spiritual and cultural revitalization, ecolog­ical restoration and conservation, food sov­ereignty, health and economic development for Indigenous Peoples.

Since 2020, partnerships with organiza­tions such as ITBC and Tanka Fund have facilitated the return of over 2,300 buffalo from TNC preserves in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Oklaho­ma to Indigenous communities.

In late 2024, 543 buffalo from TNC preserves were transferred to ITBC Mem­ber Nations and Tanka Fund caretakers in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Ne­braska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.

“The buffalo’s journey back to Tribal lands is a journey of healing for the land, our people and future generations,” said Er­vin

Carlson, ITBC’s Board President. “This past year has marked another step forward, and the future holds even greater possibili­ties for restoration and growth.”

Buffalo rematriation within Native lands is an essential step in repairing the relation­ships severed by U.S. government policy and the ensuing violence against Native people, as well as the extensive conversion of natural areas. Each buffalo brought home represents a positive force of partnership and perseverance, supporting sustainable economies, workforce development, youth empowerment, food sovereignty and the preservation of Indigenous knowledge for future generations.

“Our collaboration with The Nature Con­servancy to restore buffalo to their native lands and caretakers not only honors the rich cultural heritage of Indigenous com­munities, but it also reinforces our shared commitment to ecological restoration and sustainable practices,” said Dawn Sher­man, Executive Director of Tanka Fund. “Together, we are revitalizing families and communities, healing the land and nurtur­ing a thriving future.”

The presence of buffalo, which can weigh upwards of 2,000 lbs., helps build resilience against a changing climate. Bison hooves work the ground to create space for new plants to grow, their droppings provide nutrients for soil microorganisms, and na­tive grass seeds can stick to their fur and disperse as the animals move across the land. Their grazing behavior and the effects they have on the prairie help a wide range of wildflowers, plants, insects and amphib­ians to flourish.

“The Nature Conservancy is a proud partner of this Indigenous-led movement, and we are thrilled that more than 2,300 buffalo have returned home to their an­cestral lands,” said Corissa Busse, Buffalo Restoration Program director for The Na­ture Conservancy. “The restoration of buf­falo has been a profound journey of healing for Indigenous communities and for our prairies and grasslands. Together, we are building a future where culture and ecology thrive.”

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