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Four Directions and BYNP
At Buffalo Youth Nation Project, our 4 core programs are more than services. They are sacred pillars of stability rooted in the Lakota understanding of the four directions. Each direction offers teachings that help us live in balance spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Together, our programs form a circle of life that restores dignity, connection and strength to our youth and communities. =
East (Wiyakpa-Red)
The direction of beginnings, and the rising sun. This is reflected in our education and School nutrition programs where we nourish our children with traditional foods and knowledge to begin their days and lives in a good way.
South (Itokagata-Yellow)
The direction of growth, youthfulness and trust. This lives in our community and youth outreach, where young people find belonging, healing and cultural identity.
West (Wiyohiyanpa-Black)
The direction of introspection, endings and the unknown. This is honored in our Bison Restoration initiative. When we walk with our Buffalo relatives and remember who we are, returning to spiritual and ecological harmony.
North (Waziyata-White)
The direction of wisdom, strength and endurance. This is expressed through our Nake Nula Waun (I Am Ready) program, where we care for our youth in foster care and crisis, offering warmth, protection and guidance.
The Four Programs
These four programs stand like the Sacred Hoop- MItakuye Oyasin- Connecting all our relatives. When you support Buffalo Youth Nation Project, you help us walk this circle with purpose, balance and the strength of our ancestors.
Our Board
Lisa Ansell Frazier Tankamani Wi Founder/Director
Lydia Lerma Vice President
Lisa Ansell Frazier Tankamani Wi Founder/Director
Lisa Ansell Frazier is a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and currently lives in Wyoming. She is a mother of three beautiful children and a dog mom to three amazing dogs. She is a Tribal Trauma Crisis Counselor, and a Continuing Education Teacher at the Institute of American Indian Arts. She spends her free time hiking with her family and gardening. Her mission is empowerment of Native youth, Indigenous food security, creating stability and nurturing self-esteem
Katrina Vermillion Director/Treasurer
Lydia Lerma Vice President
Lisa Ansell Frazier Tankamani Wi Founder/Director
Katrina is an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. She is an artist and passionate creator of many forms of craft. She loves spending time in nature, whether it be by forested mountains or the fresh air of the oceanside. She has enjoyed the last twenty-six years providing care and connection to many animals in her community at the Frontier Veterinary Clinic. Katrina believes her purpose in this life is to help others with her voice and heart, especially children. She does so in honor of her beautiful son and his kindness campaign, Bkind4b.
Lydia Lerma Vice President
Lydia Lerma Vice President
Lydia Lerma Vice President
Lydia Lerma is a member of the Lipan Apache and currently lives in Colorado. She is the mother of three children and a black lab. She is also a grandma to three sweet kitties. Lydia is an avid outdoorswoman and maintains her tribal tradition of big game hunting. She is a community activist/advocate and serves on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (OMMIR) Community Advisory Board and the Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors (CSAS) State Task Force. Her mission is to empower survivors of sexual abuse and their families so that they can all experience healing.
Anaya Echohawk-Flint Director/Secretary
Odessa Oldham Wokini Bison Program Director
Lydia Lerma Vice President
Anaya Echohawk-Flint is a member of the Paiute, Pawnee, and Yakama Nations. She spends her time with her husband, three children and pug. She is currently working on her undergraduate in Psychology. She hopes to make mental health resources more accessible for Indigenous populations.
Odessa Oldham Wokini Bison Program Director
Odessa Oldham Wokini Bison Program Director
Odessa Oldham Wokini Bison Program Director
Odessa Oldham is a 5th-generation Navajo jewelry maker and currently works for the Food Bank of Wyoming, she owns a ranch and runs her own Navajo-owned Jewelry business. She is an advocate for Indigenous people, land and Bison restoration. With her partner they have a beautiful daughter. Her beautiful Navajo jewelry can be found at: https://www.indigenoussister.com
About Us
Buffalo Youth Nation Project
Building native based food sovereignty systems and providing resource security for native youth, families and their communities across the great plains region to bring healing and stability in alignment with our native values and virtues
Our history
Native Women Led, Native Women Strong
The Buffalo Youth Nation project (BYNP) also known as Wakanyeja Tatanka Oyate is a Native led, all volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2018 as a non profit by Lisa Ansell Frazier, a member of the Cheyenne Sioux Tribe. Based in Wyoming, BYNP is dedicated to enhancing food sovereignty and resource security for Native Youth, families, and communities. BYNP became a 501(c)(3) in October of 2020
Our mission
Buffalo Youth Nation Project
Building native based food sovereignty systems and providing resource security for native youth, families and their communities across the great plains region to bring healing and stability in alignment with our native values and virtues
- Over five Indigenous Nations served
- Across 5 states
- Over 1200 children served with winter gear
- Over 150,000 lbs of food delivered and distributed to our On Reservation Schools