Buffalo

Rematriating Buffalo in Washington State

Rematriating Buffalo in Washington State

68 bison were rematriated to the Kalispel Tribe of Indians as part of the North American Team’s partnership with InterTribal Buffalo Council (ITBC). For more than 30 years, ITBC has worked to restore spiritual and cultural relationships between Tribal Nations and buffalo. This partnership illuminates the importance of buffalo beyond their conservation merit—a keystone species for grasslands and prairies. The new Kalispel buffalo are the first from this partnership to be relocated to Washington state. They joined an existing herd, which primarily supports Kalispel food sovereignty and their generous spirit.