Tanka Fund Announces $5 Million in Funding to Support Native American Buffalo Caretakers

In an inspiring move that underscores the vital intersection of culture, ecology, and economic empowerment, Tanka Fund is thrilled to announce the successful raising of $5,000,000 to advance its mission of supporting Native American buffalo caretakers across the United States. For nearly a decade, Tanka Fund has been pivotal in returning buffalo to their homelands, offering grants and technical assistance that enables caretakers to maintain cultural herds, provide healthy buffalo meat to their communities, and mentor the next generation of ranchers. With this latest funding, Tanka Fund will be able to expand its reach and resource offerings even further. In 2023 alone, we supported 19 caretakers from various tribes, including Oglala Lakota, Sicangu Lakota, Modoc Nation, and Standing Rock Sioux, among others. This new capital will help to enhance training programs and increase the availability of buffalo to help Native communities grow economically and environmentally sustainable herds through traditional caretaking methods. The buffalo is not merely livestock; they are integral to the spiritual and cultural practices of Native American communities and serve as a keystone species for ecological health. Through our ongoing efforts, we strive to honor this ancestral relationship by caring for the buffalo and, in turn, enabling them to care for the land and its ecosystem. As we collectively move forward, Tanka Fund remains dedicated to nurturing both the Buffalo Nation and the communities we serve, ensuring a prosperous, sustainable future for all involved.