Wolakota Buffalo Range

The Wolakota Buffalo Range is a nearly 28,000-acre native grassland (11,000 ha) for a bison herd on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota, home of the federally recognized Sicangu Oyate (the Upper Brulé Sioux Nation) – also known as Sicangu Lakota, and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, a branch of the Lakota people. The Rosebud Economic Development Corporation (REDCO), the economic arm of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, is managing the land.[1] Established in 2020, the herd will help develop ecological restoration, cultural practices, economic development, food security and public education. Wolakota involves public and private partners coming together in support of native-led efforts.[2] Bison is the correct taxonomic term for Bison bison, but buffalo is the common vernacular term. Buffalo continues to hold a lot of cultural significance, particularly for Indigenous people and is commonly used.[3]

Wolakota Buffalo Range
LocationRosebud Indian Reservation, South Dakota
Area28,000 acres (110 km2)
EstablishedOctober 30, 2020 (2020-10-30)
OperatorRosebud Economic Development Corporation
rosebudbuffalo.org

The 2020 Bison Conservation Initiative by the Department of the Interior strengthened mechanisms for delivery of bison to Native American tribes and provided for the transfer of bison from the Interior's herds to Wolakota.[4] On October 30, 2020, 100 wild bison from nearby national parks were released.[5] This initial transfer included Theodore Roosevelt and Badlands National Parks each donating 50 bison.[6] Sixty excess yearlings and two-year old bison from the Wind Cave bison herd were sent in October.[7] The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge donated some of their excess bison to the range in November in support of the 2020 Bison Conservation Initiative. The refuge is helping restore conservation herds when their herd grows beyond a comfortable carrying capacity.[8] Excess bison from 2021 roundup at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge were donated where for the first time Indigenous peoples joined refuge staff for the roundup.[9]

Thirty-five bison were donated in February 2021 from American Prairie in Montana.[10] They partner with native tribes who are working to restore a deeper cultural, spiritual and economic connection to bison and have agreed to contribute up to 170 bison to the herd.[11]

References
  1. DiLonardo, Mary Jo (October 28, 2021). "Dozens of Bison Released on Tribal Land in South Dakota". Treehugger. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  2. French, Brett (February 12, 2021). "American Prairie Reserve donates bison to South Dakota tribes". Billings Gazette. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  3. Red Lodge, Evelyn (May 25, 2021). "All about America's national mammal, the bison". Feast and Field. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  4. Repanshek, Kurt (May 7, 2020). "Interior Department Extends Bison Conservation Initiative For A Decade". National Parks Traveler. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  5. "Bison Transfer to Establish Wolakota Buffalo Range Marks Interior Commitment to Bison Conservation" (Press release). U.S. National Park Service. October 30, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  6.  This article incorporates public domain material from the National Park Service document: "Bison Connect Us". U.S. National Park Service. 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  7. Heemstra, Jody (October 19, 2021). "New bison corrals at Wind Cave provide a safer environment for animals and employees". DRG News. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  8. Payeton, Dallas (October 29, 2021). "Wildlife Refuge donating more than 100 bison". KSWO. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  9. Sutt, Jessica; Castiano, Melissa; Stone, Christina (November 7, 2021). "Songs on the Wind, Hooves on the Landscape". Medium. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  10. "American Prairie Reserve partners with Native Nations to further bison conservation" (Press release). American Prairie. February 18, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2021 – via Char-Koosta News.
  11. "35 Montana bison moved to South Dakota reservation". KOTA. Associated Press. February 16, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2021.

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