When Grand Canyon National Park had surplus bison, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe seized the opportunity to bring 100 animals to their reservation, aided by the InterTribal Buffalo Council.
The bison are being used to support the tribe’s farm-to-school program, providing nutritious meat to schools on the reservation and beyond.
While the bison have some genetic markers from cattle, they are not being bred with the tribe’s existing herd.
This collaboration represents a deep cultural reconnection, as the tribe has historically relied on bison for food, shelter, and spiritual significance.
The return of these bison is seen as a step toward healing past wounds and restoring traditional practices, with the tribe looking for more opportunities to bring bison back to the Great Plains.