Help return Buffalo to their homelands and Native American caretakers
10 Years of Returning Buffalo to Native lands, lives, economies
We are celebrating the 10th anniversary of our launch In 2014 the best way we know how with our new video, “THE BUFFALO RETURN: A Decade of Healing and Renewal.” Who better to tell our story than the Buffalo and their caretakers? The video outlines where we’ve been and where we’re going as we work to bring more animals home and to empower our Native rancher partners.
Thank you for supporting Tanka Fund.
2024 Return Campaign
Since 2014, we have been working to provide animals, grants and technical assistance to Native American Buffalo caretakers who, in turn, serve their own communities through maintaining cultural herds, providing healthy Buffalo meat to community members, and mentoring younger ranchers.
We serve Native American Buffalo caretakers across all U.S.-based tribes and the Buffalo Nation.
Tanka Fund’s rancher partners now represent more than 1,800 head of Buffalo over 100,000 acres of land. Our 5-year goal is to increase that to 500,000 acres and 5,000 Buffalo or more.
Help us reach our goal and bring more Buffalo home.
*Thermometer updated weekly
Our 2024 direct donation goal is $300,000
A Buffalo Legacy
Tanka Fund rancher partner Virgil Two-Eagle, Sr., shares his family legacy and how Tanka Fund helped make his dreams become a reality. With his determination, teachings, and the Buffalo, Virgil has changed his family, his future, and the lands forever. Wopila, Virgil, for everything you've done thus far and we are privileged to be a small part in it.
“Today is my last day without Buffalo.”
Alex and Wayne Frederick as they welcomed their first Buffalo
“I just wanted to do something for the next generation.”
Buffalo caretaker Charles “Bamm” Brewer shares his inspiration
Our Impact in 2023
Since 2014, we have been working to return Buffalo to Native American Buffalo caretakers. In 2023, we returned 356 Buffalo to their homelands; added 7 new Buffalo ranchers for a total of 19; and provided $780,000 in grants and technical services to our rancher partners.
We are the only organization that works solely with and financially funds Native American family- and community-owned Buffalo ranches.
In turn, these Buffalo caretakers serve their own communities through maintaining cultural herds, providing healthy Buffalo meat to community members, and mentoring younger Buffalo caretakers.
Tanka Fund helps Buffalo ranches be sustainable and regenerative
Dawn Sherman, Tanka Fund’s executive director, on the costs of returning Buffalo to their homelands and what is needed to help Native caretakers expand their herds and improve the health of their lands.
