Step onto the windswept prairie of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation and meet Ron Brownotter—Lakota-Yanktonai rancher, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and President of the Tanka Fund Board of Directors. Ron manages North America’s largest Native-owned Buffalo herd—600 powerful animals roaming 20,000 acres of ancestral grassland—and he sees each hoofbeat as a step toward de-colonization and ecological healing.

In this episode we explore:

• Buffalo as Relatives, Not Livestock – why restoring Bison is inseparable from restoring Indigenous ceremony, language, and food sovereignty.

• From Boarding Schools to Boardrooms – Ron’s journey through adversity, military service, and hard-won land stewardship to leading the Tanka Fund’s national Buffalo-restoration movement.

• Economic Empowerment on Tribal Lands – building a sustainable Buffalo business that supports local jobs, USDA contracts, wild hunts, and a forthcoming Standing Rock packing plant.

Grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and discover how a once-nearly-lost species is powering cultural revival and community resilience on the Plains. Kwe’—let’s begin.

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Episode Description:

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 ecologist—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.

In this episode of Tanka Impact, we are honored to welcome Zintkala Eiring, an Oglala Lakota Winyan and rangecologist for Tanka Fund. With a wealth of experience spanning species conservation, Buffalo management, and community health, Zintkala shares her journey from studying Legal Studies to becoming a leader in Buffalo restoration efforts.

Join us as we explore her unique perspective on conservation, the challenges and triumphs of restoring Buffalo herds, and her impact on revitalizing Native communities. From her work with red pandas and clouded leopards to her pivotal role in supporting Tribal youth and Buffalo Lifeways, Zintkala offers a profound look at the intersection of science, culture, and environmental stewardship.

Listen in for inspiring insights, advice for aspiring conservationists, and a deeper understanding of how reconnecting with Buffalo can heal our lands and spirits.

In this compelling episode of Tanka Impact, we sit down with Mary Mallinger, a conservation biologist at the Minnesota Zoo who played a key role in a groundbreaking partnership among the Tanka Fund, the Department of National Resources, and the Minnesota Zoo. Together, they orchestrated the release of Buffalo back onto Native lands—a monumental step toward restoring these majestic animals to their ancestral homes. Join us as Mary shares the inside story of this collaborative effort. We'll delve into how these organizations came together, the challenges they faced in coordinating such a significant project, and the profound impact this Buffalo release has on Native communities and the environment. Mary's extensive background in conservation biology and community outreach uniquely positions her to provide deep insights into the ecological and cultural significance of bringing the Buffalo home. We'll discuss how this joint initiative not only aids in the conservation of an iconic species but also strengthens Native food sovereignty and sustainable agriculture practices. Mary will highlight the importance of involving scientists, policymakers, educators, and community members in conservation efforts—embodying her belief that such work should be a collaborative social activity. Whether you're passionate about Indigenous culture, environmental stewardship, or the power of community collaboration, this episode offers an inspiring look at how united efforts can lead to real, positive change. Tune in to discover how the Tanka Fund, the Department of National Resources, and the Minnesota Zoo are working together to ensure the buffalo is not just a symbol of the past, but a thriving part of our future.

In the debut episode of Tanka Impact, we sit down with Dawn Sherman, Executive Director of Tanka Fund, to explore her journey, the vital work of the organization, and the powerful role buffalo restoration plays in shaping a sustainable future for Native communities. Dawn shares her vision for the future of Tanka Fund, the challenges and successes along the way, and how the return of the buffalo is about more than just animals—it’s about cultural resilience, healing the land, and empowering future generations.