Tanka Impact podcast: Buffalo, Beyond the Horizon: A Conversation with Skylar Pogue
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Join us for an inspiring deep-dive into the Tanka Fund’s Young Native Leaders Network with intern Skylar Pogue, a proud member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and U.S. Navy veteran. Skylar shares how her journey—from tech specialist to aspiring range expert — fuels her passion for Buffalo conservation, rangeland management, and the revitalization of traditional knowledge. Discover how young Native leaders like Skylar are forging new paths, preserving cultural ties, and ensuring a vibrant future for our Buffalo relatives and the land they call home. Skylar also discusses her research on quality rangeland management and how it directly impacts the survival and quality of life for Buffalo.
About Tanka Impact podcast
Hosted by Phillip Gaudon, assistant marketing director of Tanka Fund, the podcast will explore the connection between Buffalo restoration, Native food sovereignty, and sustainable agriculture. Hear stories from Native leaders, agricultural experts, and community members working to heal the land and restore the Buffalo. Each episode shares insights on cultural heritage, landstewardship, and economic empowerment. If you’re passionate about Indigenous culture, food systems, or Buffalo, Tanka Impact brings you conversations that inspire change.
Summary
In the summer of 2024, Tanka Fund hired range technician interns for a 12-week program focusing on rangeland management. Interns researched how bison impact the land, traditional stewardship, and land management, visiting Native-owned ranches in South Dakota. Skylar Pogue, a Seminole Nation member, shared her experience studying soil health, ranching technology, and developing a bison tracking app using the program Salesforce.
Key points
Tanka Fund’s 2024 Summer Internship – Tanka Fund hired range technician interns for a 12-week program, working closely with Tanka Fund’s rangeland experts as part of its beef and bison commodities program. Interns researched rangeland impacts, bison vs. cattle management, and traditional land knowledge while conducting independent research projects.
Hands-On Experience in South Dakota – Interns participated in fieldwork, visiting a research-intensive bison ranch in Hermosa and Native-owned ranches on Pine Ridge and Rosebud reservations. They engaged in range monitoring exercises in the Black Hills as part of their training.
Research & Learning – Intern Skylar Pogue, a member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, conducted research on how rangeland quality affects bison health and sustainability within Native American culture. She gained deeper knowledge about soil science and land management.
Technology & Innovation in Ranching – Skylar worked with the Salesforce program to develop a bison tracking app for recording health data, vaccinations, and weight changes. She emphasized the importance of integrating technology with traditional ranching methods for efficiency.
Cultural & Community Impact – Skylar highlighted the deep spiritual and emotional connection to the land and bison while working with Tanka Fund. She described the strong sense of interconnectedness in South Dakota’s Native communities, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and uplifting one another.
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