Our Community reflects on the Bison Rehoming Project

Lakota elder and spiritual teacher Basil Brave Heart, on whose land The Tipi Raisers’ bison herd will roam, recently shared this wisdom with us: “Tell the people, especially the young ones: It’s time that they come here. It’s important for them to hear the stories and the teaching of the Pte Oyate (Buffalo/Bison Nation). It’s time for the bison to come back here, and for the lessons to be told again. I’m ready to share these stories. It’s important for them to be told at this time.”

The Bison Rehoming Project continues to move forward and we are pleased to share that pasture fence repairs began this summer. And, in answering Basil's call to action, additional work will be carried out by a diverse group of young people this fall! We're looking forward to working alongside youth from schools across both Colorado and the Pine Ridge reservation.
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With their help, the pasture will soon be ready to receive dozens of bison from Colorado State University and other partners. This progress is all thanks to the kindness our community of supporters have shown this year.

Pictured: Gen7 youth riding the Tipi Raiser's herd on Basil's land as they work (and play) in the bison pasture.

Here is what our Lakota relatives shared about how this project and and the return of the bison to this land will impact their communities: A skilled young Lakota horseman with two small children will be working directly with the herd. Sustained employment as a herd manager could change his life, and the lives of his family. Here’s what he had to say about the opportunity: “The bison will help me and my little family a lot. It will help me a lot more than what I’m earning now.”
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A Lakota mother and grandmother and her children (two of whom are pictured below with a volunteer in the pasture a few weeks ago) will also be working with the herd and earning a wage for their efforts. We asked her how the project will impact her family and community, and here is what she shared: "It would really help me and the family out by having extra meat and meat for the community - the ones that really need the help. Even teaching us how to keep bison, be around bison, and giving the kids activities and something to keep them busy."

On a spiritual level, as stated by Basil Brave Heart, the importance of these sacred beings’ return at this moment in time cannot be overstated. And on a material level, this herd will be transformative for families and youth experiencing the ripple effect of poverty on the reservation.

This is just the beginning of our commitment to bring transformative change to life for Lakota families. We are honored to move this program forward alongside our supporters, our partners on the reservation, and the sacred Pte Oyate towards a brighter future for our Native relatives.
Wopila (a deep and immeasurable thank you).
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- Lori and The Tipi Raisers Team
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