The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes in Oklahoma are on a mission to restore native grasslands and promote food sovereignty through the Cheyenne and Arapaho Bison Project. Collaborating with Collaborative Earth and Mad Agriculture, they aim to blend Indigenous wisdom with modern science to create a sustainable model for bison farming.
Aaron Hirsh from Collaborative Earth explains that this project started three years ago to examine how bison management influences the prairie ecosystem. He emphasizes the goal of regenerating the land through the reintroduction of bison, backed by solid research.
Bison hold significant cultural and spiritual value for Plains Indigenous peoples. Gordon Yellowman, the Tribal Historian, underscores that their relationship with bison goes beyond economics—it’s rooted in tradition and spirituality.
Historically, bison populations plummeted due to westward expansion and military actions, from around 30 million to a mere few hundred by 1866, as reported by the U.S. Department of the Interior. Thankfully, thanks to efforts from Native Nations, the bison population is now close to half a million, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes have managed bison herds for generations, but challenges like overgrazing and parasites have emerged. The project aims to revitalize nearly 20,000 acres to enhance land health and grazing practices.
Recent research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences highlights that bison grazing significantly boosts plant biodiversity compared to conventional cattle grazing. However, Collaborative Earth notes that many impacts of this bison reintroduction haven’t been fully studied yet. Their monitoring will include ecological indicators like plant diversity and soil health, which could set the standard for regenerative land practices.
Rayle Heinzig from Mad Agriculture expresses excitement over how the project emphasizes Indigenous land management and ecological knowledge. “This isn’t just about growing a herd; it’s about restoring a vital cycle of care between people, animals, and land,” he says.
Bison are crucial not just for environmental health but also for cultural and economic reasons. The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes view bison as central to their identity and are creating a bison meat brand to promote food sovereignty and economic stability. This brand will support other producers who use regenerative practices, allowing them to gain premium prices for their products.
Funding for the project came mostly from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Program. Unfortunately, this program faced cancellations earlier this year. Despite the challenges, Mad Agriculture plans to find alternative funding sources and stays committed to community resilience and collaborative planning.
In today’s world, where environmental issues are pressing, the Cheyenne and Arapaho Bison Project stands out. It connects cultural heritage with sustainable land management, representing a hopeful path forward.
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Bison Project,Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes,Collaborative Earth,Indigenous Agriculture,Mad Agriculture,prairie restoration,regenerative grazing,usda
