Caption for Photo: The Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative recently acquired a state-of-the-art field processing trailer. This equipment enables our community to harvest Buffalo where it falls — opening the door to opportunities for youth and elders to be involved with the ceremony of the event.
For countless generations, Buffalo sustained Indigenous communities and provided not only nourishment for the body, but also remedy for the spirit. Today, as we work to restore the animal to our lands and diets, we are rediscovering what our ancestors always knew: Buffalo meat is medicine.
Strengthening Bonds
Buffalo were once vital to the wellbeing of Indigenous people — and after thousands of years, we know they are still in our DNA. The relationship between Plains tribes and Buffalo transcends mere sustenance. It is a bond woven throughout ceremonies, stories, and our identities.
As wild Buffalo once again become a food source, we harvest them with reverence and respectfully utilize the entire animal. A ceremonial approach to food isn’t solely tradition—it represents a holistic understanding of health and builds compassion and understanding for our youth involved, too.
Nutrition in Buffalo Meat
Scientific research has validated what Indigenous knowledge has long held — that Buffalo meat provides exceptional nutritional benefits, especially when compared to commercial beef.
- Lower in fat and cholesterol: Buffalo meat contains significantly less fat than beef—approximately 2.42 grams per 100 grams compared to beef’s 8.09 grams.
- Higher protein content: Buffalo meat provides more protein per serving than beef, supporting muscle maintenance and overall vitality.
- Rich in essential nutrients: A single serving of Buffalo meat contains as much calcium as a 6oz glass of milk and as much potassium as a medium banana. It’s also an excellent source of vitamins E, B6, and B12— crucial for energy production and nervous system function.
- Cancer-fighting properties: Buffalo meat is a good source of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), an important cancer-fighting fat. It is also rich in beta-carotene, a vital antioxidant that reduces cancer risk by preventing cell degeneration.
- Balanced omega fatty acids: Buffalo meat contains an ideal combination of essential omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation and support brain health.
Food Sovereignty and Healing with Buffalo
Reintroducing Buffalo meat into our diets is a powerful act of reclaiming food sovereignty. When we control our food systems, we control our health destinies.
Through respectful and ceremonial harvest, we’re teaching our youth about the animal’s many uses: making tools from bones, tanning the hide, carving horn, and preserving meat. This knowledge transfer is helping reintegrate Buffalo back into our cultural practices and communities.
We have not forgotten how to use this animal. As we incorporate Buffalo into our diets again, we’re healing from the inside out. Studies show that including this meat in our diets can reduce the risk of diabetes and other diet-related diseases that disproportionately affect Native communities.
Combined with the cultural and spiritual benefits of this meat, Buffalo is a life-giving food source for Native people. Each meal connects us to our ancestors, strengthens our communities, and nourishes our bodies in ways that commercial foods cannot and do not.
Minnesota Bison Hot Dish
Recipe from Big Wind Carpenter
- 1 pound ground bison
- 1/2 diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- A couple tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup wild rice or regular
- A couple cups chicken stock
- Few cups of chopped greens
In a big pan, brown the bison with onion and garlic, breaking it up as you cook. Add salt, pepper, cumin, cayenne, and tomato paste.
Stir in rice and 2 cups of chicken stock. Bring to a light boil, then cover and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding more stock as needed so it doesn’t stick to the pan.
Top with greens, cover, and cook for 5 more minutes. Stir the greens and ready to serve.
This hearty dish nourishes body and spirit, and provides connection to the sustenance that supported our ancestors. As we reintroduce Buffalo to our lands and tables, we honor our past while creating a healthier future for future generations.