Wolakota Featured As Case Study For Investments In Indian Country

Sicangu Co is a leader in showing how investments in Indian Country are more impactful and provide a better return for both the community and the investors. Our Wolakota Buffalo Range was recently featured in new research led by First Peoples Worldwide.

Launched in 2020, the Wolakota Buffalo Range began with 100 animals on 28,000 acres of land near St. Francis. Fast forward to almost three years later, and Wolakota is home to a herd of more than 1,000 thriving bison. Years ahead of schedule, Wolakota is now the world's largest indigenous owned and managed bison herd. 

How have we managed to see so much success in such a short amount of time? Wolakota is a near perfect example of why investing funds directly into Native led organizations leads to impactful outcomes that benefit both the community the projects serve, and the organizations that fund them. 

There is now published research to back the assertion. A recent study published by First Peoples Worldwide in partnership with Integrated Capital Investing and the Croatan Institute shows that catalytic capital in Indian Country can and has led to long-term and sustainable growth the is culturally relevant and a reflection of what indigenous communities want.

The paper, “Indigenizing Catalytic Capital: How to Get to Catalytic Capital +,” features Wolakota as a case study of what can happen when funders leave the decision-making to Native leaders and organizations. The case study, which constitutes pages 52-59, details the origin of the vision back in 2013, and how funders such as World Wildlife Fund, the Turner Foundation and Bush Foundation acted as catalytic partners by providing more than just financial support; they also contributed technical assistance, introductions, and visibility. 

The key to Wolakota’s success is that Sicangu Co has complete decision-making power; we have been fortunate to find partners who understand, respect and uplift indigenous sovereignty and show their support when and where it is needed. The Sicangu Lakota have a deep understanding of buffalo, we know what our relatives need to be healthy and happy and to thrive.