“Recent Updates from the Wolakota Buffalo Range”
Our Tatanka relatives being relocated to a different pasture at Wolakota.
We are proud to highlight the amazing progress happening at the Wolakota Buffalo Range. The project is located on the lands of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate and embodies the significance of the spiritual and cultural connection to our Tatanka relatives. With over 1,200 plains bison now grazing on 28,000 acres of Indigenous grassland, the impact of this project on both the ecosystem and the community is undeniable, but not surprising. We have always known that when the Tatanka are thriving, our Sicangu Oyate is thriving; reiterating the interconnectedness of all living beings and our Lakota way of life.
Wolakotas Newest Team Members:
Jerrica Donnell
Wolakota Admin/Event Coordinator
Chance “Bud” Colombe
Agriculture Operations Manager
TJ Heinert
Wolakota Assistant Range Manager
“This expansion of our Wolakota team is a significant step forward in our commitment to bringing back our Tatanka relatives. Bringing on two additional full-time staff who are members of the community will further strengthen our ecosystems shared goals in creating a sustainable future for our community and land,” shares TJ Heinert.
Koby Jeschkeit-Hagen
Food Systems Director
More Wolakota Updates
Sicangu Co has partnered with our local university, Sinte Gleska University where Wolakota connected with SGU student, Madison “Madi” Jackson for a 12-week paid internship. Madi has been working alongside Jerrica outside at the Wolakota grounds, and is helping the Wolakota team put up fencing in a south pasture for the herd relatives to be moved into. Wolakota is very close to max capacity with the herd of relatives so fencing is vital in keeping our Tatanka relatives safe.
Another critical aspect of Wolakota's success is the ongoing health and well-being of the Tatanka. As the project moves into the Spring season, all members of the herd have been accounted for and have received a clean bill of health. This meticulous care ensures that each bison can continue to graze peacefully on the lands of Wolakota, contributing to the ecosystem's balance and health.
Jerrica and SGU Intern, Madi Jackson pose together as they work outside on the grounds at Wolakota.
TJ and SGU Intern, Madi installing fencing to protect the Tatanka.
Two of our on grounds Wolakota team members (Tj and Jerrica) took part in NOLS Wilderness EMT/First Aid First Responders Training. With the completion of online hybrid courses and a week of outdoor practicals/scenarios followed by a written final exam, both TJ and Jerrica graduated! They are now official Certified Wilderness EMT/First Aid First Responders which is vital to their safety and the safety of others as they carry out their day to day duties at Wolakota.
The Wolakota team is dedicated to enhancing the project's infrastructure to support the growing herd and ensure the project's long-term sustainability. The team is also in the works of installing signage on the Wolakota grounds, not only enhancing the aesthetic appeal to the already beautiful space but also contributing to the safety and well-being of our visitors and staff. Tj has recently shared that he is particularly excited about the warmer weather seasons approaching and looks forward to the opportunities and challenges they will bring at Wolakota.
TJ Heinert and his daughter participating in a Tatanka harvest at Wolakota.
Students of Wakanyeja Ki Tokeyahci, Sicangu Co’s Lakota immersion school, packaging Tatanka meat from a harvest.
Sicangu Co and the team at Wolakota have held a number of harvests throughout the years for the community of Rosebud with a focus on local schools and programs including our Lakota Immersion school to provide meals for student lunches. Through the practice of these harvests, we are able to connect to one another in a healthy way, improving the relations in our community and revitalizing our Lakota way of life.
Because of the knowledge and experience obtained from the community harvests, Tj and Jerrica are now working on a Wolakota Harvest Booklet, which will serve as a guide sharing what to expect when participating in a harvest day on the grounds. This booklet will provide essential information about supplies that are needed, safety precautions to be aware of, and the cultural significance of the harvest process as practiced by Tj and the community. It will serve as a valuable resource for all who participate in harvesting at Wolakota.
As the Wolakota Buffalo Range continues to evolve and grow, we want to ensure that our community stays informed about the latest developments. From new team members and safety enhancements to ongoing revitalization efforts, there are always exciting changes happening at Wolakota. To stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates, please follow our Wolakota Facebook page. Your support and engagement are important to us as we work together to create a sustainable future for our community and the land.