Restoring Relationships. Strengthening Nations. Growing the Future of Indigenous Bison Stewardship.
The Indigenous Prairie Bison Initiative (IPBI) is a collaborative, Indigenous-led initiative dedicated to strengthening Indigenous participation, leadership, and capacity within Canada's bison sector. Through relationship-building, knowledge sharing, community engagement, and economic development opportunities, the initiative supports Indigenous communities as they explore pathways to establish, expand, and sustain bison-related enterprises and stewardship activities. Led by the National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food (NCIAF) in partnership with Indigenous communities and industry leaders, the Indigenous Prairie Bison Initiative aims to support long-term Indigenous food sovereignty, economic prosperity, cultural revitalization, and land stewardship across the Prairie provinces and beyond.
For countless generations, bison have held profound cultural, spiritual, ecological, and economic significance for Indigenous Peoples across the Plains. Bison have sustained Nations through providing food, clothing, shelter, tools, cultural practices, and trade while serving as an integral part of Indigenous ways of life. The near-eradication of bison populations had devastating impacts on Indigenous communities, cultures, and food systems. Today, many Nations are leading efforts to restore buffalo to the landscape, rebuild relationships with the land, and revitalize traditional knowledge and practices.
The Indigenous Prairie Bison Initiative recognizes that buffalo restoration is about much more than production, but rather it is about healing, reconciliation, cultural continuity, food sovereignty, and community well-being.
Key Areas of Focus
Capacity Development
The IPBI is focused on building the foundational tools, training, and relationships needed to support Indigenous communities across the prairie provinces in exploring and establishing bison-based economic, ecological, and cultural opportunities. Capacity development focuses on supporting Indigenous communities as they explore opportunities related to buffalo stewardship, herd development, business planning, infrastructure development, and long-term sustainability. Activities may include:
- Community engagement sessions
- Educational workshops and training programs
- Knowledge-sharing opportunities and mentorship
- Feasibility studies and business planning support
- Resource development and infrastructure planning
- Partnership and investment facilitation
- Support for governance and long-term sustainability planning
Indigenous Food Sovereignty
Bison play an important role in Indigenous food systems and in advancing food sovereignty efforts. Food sovereignty is the right of Indigenous Peoples and communities to define their own food systems, make decisions about how food is produced, accessed, shared, and governed, and reclaim control over traditional foods, lands, and harvesting practices. It is about more than food security; it is about self-determination, cultural continuity, and the ability to nourish communities in ways that reflect Indigenous values, knowledge, and priorities.
The IPBI initiative supports community-driven approaches that strengthen local food production, improve access to culturally relevant foods, and increase Indigenous control over food systems. By supporting buffalo restoration and sustainable production, communities can create healthier and more resilient food systems while also reconnecting with traditional food practices, teachings, and responsibilities to the land. These efforts help restore relationships between people, buffalo, and the prairie landscape, while contributing to long-term community wellness, cultural revitalization, and economic opportunity.
Economic Development & Entrepreneurship
Bison enterprises can create meaningful opportunities for Indigenous communities through:
- Ranching and production, including herd development, land stewardship, and long-term bison management.
- Value-added processing, such as meat processing, packaging, distribution, and product development.
- Employment and workforce development through training, mentorship, and skills-building opportunities in agriculture, operations, tourism, and related sectors.
- Cultural tourism opportunities that celebrate and share Indigenous history, traditions, and relationships with buffalo.
- Hospitality and culinary experiences that feature bison-based foods, Indigenous cuisine, and community-led food programming.
- Agritourism and on-farm experiences that share Indigenous knowledge, land-based learning, and bison teachings with visitors.
For Indigenous Nations that are interested in exploring these economic opportunities, the initiative works to connect communities with resources, funding opportunities, industry expertise, and strategic partnerships that support sustainable economic growth. Participation in economic development pathways is entirely community-driven, recognizing that each Nation has its own priorities, readiness, and vision for how buffalo may fit within its broader goals for food sovereignty, cultural revitalization, and community well-being.
Knowledge Sharing & Collaboration
The Indigenous Prairie Bison Initiative recognizes both Indigenous knowledge systems and western agricultural knowledge. By honouring the teachings, lived experiences, and stewardship practices of Indigenous Peoples alongside technical, scientific, and industry-based knowledge, the initiative supports a more holistic and sustainable approach to buffalo restoration and development. Bison have long played a vital role in maintaining healthy prairie ecosystems. Through Indigenous-led stewardship and collaborative management practices, buffalo can contribute to grassland restoration, biodiversity, soil health, carbon sequestration, water retention, and more resilient food systems. These outcomes align with growing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) priorities while advancing community well-being, cultural revitalization, and sustainable economic development.
By bringing together Indigenous communities, producers, researchers, educators, industry organizations, and partners, the initiative creates opportunities for:
- Peer-to-peer learning and mentorship
- Community-to-community knowledge exchange
- Industry and academic collaboration
- Relationship building and partnership development
- Shared innovation and practical problem-solving
- Practical problem-solving
- Access to technical expertise, research and resources
- Strengthened pathways for community-led planning and implementation
- Development of ESG and impact measurement practices that demonstrate environmental, social, cultural, and economic outcomes
These connections help communities learn from one another, share successes and challenges, and build confidence as they explore or expand bison-related projects. They also support the development of stronger networks across the bison sector, opening the door to new partnerships, mentorship opportunities, and collaborative approaches to herd management, land stewardship, business development, and food systems planning.
Together, these partnerships help strengthen the long-term success of Indigenous-led bison initiatives by fostering trust, building capacity, restoring ecosystems and creating the conditions needed for sustainable growth, cultural revitalization, and community prosperity for generations to come..
Looking Ahead
The Indigenous Prairie Bison Initiative is laying the foundation for a stronger, more connected Indigenous bison sector across Canada.
As the initiative continues to grow, the NCIAF remains committed to supporting Indigenous communities through collaboration, capacity development, relationship building, and the creation of opportunities that honour the past while building for the future.
Together, we are strengthening Indigenous agriculture, restoring relationships with bison, and advancing a vision of food sovereignty and prosperity for generations to come.
Get Involved!
Whether you are a community exploring bison restoration, a producer interested in partnership opportunities, an organization seeking collaboration, or a youth interested in learning more about Indigenous agriculture, we would love to connect.
For more information about the Indigenous Prairie Bison Initiative, please reach out to us today by filling out our inquiry form through clicking the link below.
