Returning Buffalo with Native Nations Forum

November 1-3, 2023 | Bozeman, Montana

Native Nations are bringing buffalo back to restore the foundation of Indigenous lifeways. Together we can build a network of partners to offer support in these efforts to achieve this vision.

Many Native Nations are returning buffalo to Tribal lands and generating large-scale outcomes that hold tremendous promise for Tribal community health and prosperity, food security, cultural revitalization, ecosystem restoration, regenerative agriculture, and rejuvenation of a Tribal buffalo economy that sustained Native Nations for millennia.

The Returning Buffalo with Native Nations Forum aims to provide a platform and mechanism for Native Nations to engage a broader network of potential partners in the return of buffalo to Native lands and traditional territories. Foundations, corporations, and individual philanthropists, government leaders, and NGOs will gather at the Forum (November 1-3, 2023, in Bozeman, Montana) to learn from representatives of the Blackfeet Nation, Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes, Fort Belknap Indian Community (Aaniiih and Nakoda Nations), Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, InterTribal Buffalo Council, Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation (Oglala Sioux Tribe), and Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative (Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes), eight Tribally and Native-led projects that lay out compelling visions, concrete goals, and measurable steps and outcomes for restoring buffalo. These projects are examples of the many remarkable Tribally and Native-led buffalo restoration projects underway across North America, a movement that can be accelerated through allyship between Tribes, governments, philanthropists, NGOs, and corporations to reach critical mass and succeed in generating the benefits that Tribal communities envision for current and future generations.

The Forum seeks to involve existing and potential partners of Tribal buffalo restoration projects who are engaging because of their commitment to the well-being of Native Nations, native grasslands and wildlife, climate change mitigation, and other recognized benefits of bringing buffalo herds back to the land.

Overview

DATES

November 1-3, 2023

  • Wednesday, November 1
    6:00 PM-8:30 PM, Private film screening
  • Thursday, November 2
    8:00 AM -5:30 PM, with Reception 6:30 PM-8:00 PM
  • Friday, November 3
    8:00 AM-Noon

LOCATION

Bozeman, Montana
(Click on the links for maps to venue locations)

ORGANIZER

A collaborative effort of Native Americans in Philanthropy, World Wildlife Fund, and Native Nation buffalo restoration project representatives, facilitated by Project Mosaic.

PARTICIPANTS

Blackfeet Nation, Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes, Fort Belknap Indian Community (Aaniiih and Nakoda Nations), Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, InterTribal Buffalo Council, Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation (Oglala Lakota), and Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative (Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes), Philanthropists, Federal Government Leaders, Nongovernmental Organizations and Others

GOALS

  1. Connect Native Nations restoring buffalo to their lands, cultures, economies, and food systems with potential partners.
  2. Foster deep understanding among potential partners of Native Nation buffalo restoration visions, priorities, approaches, and opportunities.
  3. Forge relationships that address barriers and support buffalo restoration as defined by Tribally and Native-led projects.

Full Agenda

Day 1 ~ Wednesday, November 1, 2023

6:00p

Private Film Screening of “Singing Back the Buffalo”

Produced and Narrated by Dr. Tasha Hubbard, (Cree, Peepeekisis First Nation, Treaty 4)

Willson Auditorium, 404 W Main Street
Short Q&A to Follow

Note: Private film screening; no video or social media. Food and drinks not permitted at this venue; water permitted/provided.

 

Day 2 ~ Thursday, November 2, 2023

Morning sessions all take place in the Ballroom of the Baxter Hotel.

8:00a

Buffet Breakfast

Fuel up for the day ahead!
8:30a

Forum Welcome

Opening Acknowledgement & Prayer
  • Monica Rattling Hawk (Oglala Lakota), Native Nations Liaison, World Wildlife Fund
Welcome Song
  • Wanbli Williams (Ojibwe, Oglala Lakota, Cheyenne), Facilitator, Project Mosaic
Welcoming Remarks from Conveners
  • Jeannette Ziegler (Mohegan), Chief Operating Officer, Native Americans in Philanthropy
  • Ginette Hemley, Senior Vice President, Wildlife Conservation, World Wildlife Fund
Introduction of Project Mosaic Facilitation Team
  • Jennifer Wolf (Ponca, Ojibwe, Santee)
  • Shatta Mejia (White Mountain Apache)
  • Tara McLain Manthey (Osage)
  • Gemara Gifford (Chicana/Tiwa)
  • Wanbli Williams (Ojibwe, Oglala Lakota, Cheyenne)
9:00a

Tribal Buffalo Restoration Project Introductions

Blackfeet Buffalo Program: Rematriation of Iinniiwa in the Ninaiistáko Region of Traditional Siksikaitsitapi Lands
  • Ervin Carlson, Sr. (Blackfeet), Blackfeet Buffalo Program Director
Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes (CSKT): Bison Range Expansion and Wildlife Migration Corridors
  • Whisper Camel-Means (Qlispe’), Division Manager, Fish, Wildlife, Recreation & Conservation, Shannon Clairmont (Seli’š Ksanka), Supervisory Biologist, and James “Bing” Matt (Seli’š/Pikuni), CSKT Arlee Tribal Council Member
Fort Belknap Indian Community: Reseeding Grasslands for Large-Scale Buffalo Habitat Expansion
  • Bronc Speak Thunder (Nakoda), Buffalo Program Director, and Ryan Lankford (Aaniiih), Farmer/Rancher
Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes: Increasing the Availability of Yellowstone Buffalo from Fort Peck Tribes for Continental Tribal Restoration Efforts
  • Les Bighorn (Dakota), Lead Game Warden, Fort Peck Fish & Game and Jonny Bearcub Stiffarm (Nakóda), Pte Group Member
InterTribal Buffalo Council: Buffalo Learning Center
  • Majel Russell (Apsáalooké), Legal Counsel to InterTribal Buffalo Council
InterTribal Buffalo Council: Food Sovereignty through Tribal Buffalo Restoration
  • Troy Heinert (Sicangu Lakota), Executive Director, InterTribal Buffalo Council
Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation: The Oónakiži (Stronghold) Buffalo Homeland
  • Tatewin Means (Oglala Lakota), Executive Director and Chance Weston (Oglala Lakota), Food Sovereignty Director
Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative (Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes): Restoring Buffalo as Wildlife
  • Jason Baldes (Eastern Shoshone), Executive Director and Board President, Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative; Herd Manager, Shoshone Tribe
10:00a

Coffee & Tea Break

10:15a

Federal Government Commitments to Tribal Buffalo Restoration

Introduction to session and to Federal Government Leaders speaking on commitments to Tribal Buffalo Restoration
  • Estakio Beltran (Tolteca-Mexíca, Tlatoani), Native Americans in Philanthropy, Partnership Advisor, and DOI Office of Strategic Partnerships
Commitments and progress at the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI)
  • Mariah Blackbird-Perry (Cheyenne River Sioux) Policy-Partnerships Specialist, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, DOI
Commitments and progress at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
  • Heather Dawn Thompson, (Cheyenne River Sioux), Director, Office of Tribal Relations, USDA
Commitment of the DOI Bison Conservation Initiative to Ecocultural Restoration by Tribes
  • Brendan Moynahan, Chair, Interagency Bison Working Group
Q&A Session
  • Facilitated by Estakio Beltran (Tolteca-Mexíca, Tlatoani), NAP
11:15a

Tribal Buffalo Restoration Project Workstation Dialogues

Participants rotate every 25 minutes in small groups to learn about and discuss each of the eight projects. Check your name tag for your group number.

Session Goal : Interactive dialogue led by Tribal Buffalo Restoration project representatives to foster deep understanding and discussion of each Native Nation buffalo restoration project's visions, priorities, approaches, and opportunities. Forge relationships that support buffalo restoration and provide Tribal Buffalo Restoration project representatives with insight into approaches that philanthropists have observed leading to successful collaborations.

Rotation One

Blackfeet Ft. Belknap ITBC 1 TVCDC
11:15-11:45a 1 2 3 4
11:50a-12:20p 2 3 4 1
12:30p

Buffet Lunch

Recharge for the afternoon ahead in the large banquet room at the Baxter Hotel!
1:30p

Rotation Two

Blackfeet Ft. Belknap ITBC 1 TVCDC
1:30-2:00p 3 4 1 2
2:05-2:35p 4 1 2 3
2:35p

Coffee & Tea Break
3:55p

Rotation Three

CSKT Ft. Peck ITBC 2 Wind River
2:50-3:20p 1 2 3 4
3:25-3:55p 2 3 4 1
2:35p

Coffee & Tea Break
4:10p

Rotation Four

CSKT Ft. Peck ITBC 2 Wind River
4:10-4:40p 3 4 1 2
4:45-5:15p 4 1 2 3
6:30p

Evening Reception

Gathering with heavy appetizers in the upstairs Ballroom

 

Day 3 ~ Friday, November 3, 2023

Friday’s sessions all take place in the Ballroom of the Baxter Hotel.

8:00a

Buffet Breakfast

Fuel up for the day ahead!
8:30a

Forum Welcome Back & Opening

Overview of the day by Project Mosaic

Acknowledgement & Prayer
  • Monica Rattling Hawk (Oglala Lakota), World Wildlife Fund
8:35a

Buffalo Beyond Boundaries – Reflections of Indigenous Leaders

Session Goal: Understand inter-Tribal efforts across the continent to build a movement to support returning buffalo with Native Nations

  • Dr. Leroy Little Bear (Kainai Nation of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Alberta), President, International Buffalo Relations Institute
    • Dr. Leroy Little Bear will speak on “Renewing relationships with the Buffalo: A Treaty of Cooperation, Renewal, and Restoration.”
  • Troy Heinert (Sicangu Lakota), Executive Director, InterTribal Buffalo Council
  • Dr. Tasha Hubbard (Cree, Peepeekisis First Nation, Treaty 4), Professor, University of Alberta & Filmmaker “Singing Back the Buffalo”
9:10a

Break For Room Reconfiguration

Attendees kindly move to mezzanine, foyer, and little ballroom.

9:30a

Conservation Partnerships and Collective Impact – Talking Circle facilitated by Project Mosaic

  • Jeanette Ziegler (Mohegan), Chief Operating Officer, Native Americans in Philanthropy
    • Jeanette will speak on “Native Americans in Philanthropy’s approach to promoting equitable and effective philanthropy in Native communities”
Session Goals:
  • Explore innovative approaches to overcoming barriers and creating opportunities through partnership and philanthropy to support Tribal buffalo restoration.
  • Identifying our shared priorities and vision for change and accelerating Native-led buffalo restoration outcomes through diverse partnerships for collective impact.
  • Discuss novel ways that Native Nations and external partners (government, philanthropy, corporations, and NGOs) are working together to advance:
    • The return of buffalo
    • Wildlife and grasslands conservation
    • Collaborative fundraising
    • Education (K-post-grad apprenticeship, and training)
    • Food sovereignty
    • Economic development
    • Tourism
    • Other desired outcomes
11:00a

Coffee & Tea Break
11:15a

Forum Recap and Next Steps 

Session Goal: Reflect on learnings and shared understanding developed over the course of the forum. Discuss any items identified for follow-up and potential next steps.  

Closing Performance
  • Wanbli Williams (Ojibwe, Oglala Lakota, Cheyenne)

Group Closing Activity

12:00p

Forum adjourns

Recommended Restaurants Click on the restaurant names for maps to the locations