Programs
Our Impact through flagship programs
Every buffalo calf born, every meal shared carries a story of our resilience. Our BYNP community has accomplished together:
- Over 346,871 lbs of food has been distributed to our youth and families through school and community partnerships and local hunters.
- Four On Reservation School Food Lodges now receiving consistent deliveries of bison meat, indigenous and locally grown foods as well as staples to supply their lodges.
- Hundreds of Wakanyeja ("Precious Seeds" in Lakota language) kept warm each winter though our annual Winter Ready Program and supported through the Nake Nula Waun Program during transition.
- Thousands of volunteer hours given by our Youth, Elders, and Allies to restore land and build food sovereignty
- Growing Buffalo Herd representing the return of a sacred relationship between the land, youth and ancestors
Impact Update:
Buffalo Youth Nation Project continues to grow with purpose and power. Year to date, we’ve delivered 346,871 pounds of healthy food across Northern Colorado, Wind River, and Pine Ridge through our partnerships with Wyoming Food Bank, Larimer County Food Bank, Cheyenne River Buffalo Company, our local farmers and growers, and the hunters and ranchers who share their harvests.
Our bison herd has grown to 13, with calves expected this spring — a return of our relatives to the prairie and to our classrooms.
We have distributed over 1,000 new winter coats, expanded our Nake Nula Waun program, and supported schools and Native communities across the region.
Winter Ready -Protecting Our Families
Winters on the Plains are harsh, but our people are strong. The Winter Ready Initiative provides essential clothing, coats, and supplies for our Wakanyeja and families. This annual program is completely powered by community volunteers and donors, ensuring that every child is provided for and every family enters winter with warmth and strength
Nake Nula Waun "I AM Ready"
The Nake Nula Waun Program supplies clothing, new shoes, backpacks, hygiene items, beds and bedding, emergency weather items to our youth at partner schools. We aim to assist students in transition or going to foster care but give to all who may require extra care and love.
After School Food Program
The After School Food Program is a keystone to building food resource security. Our participating schools are able to build and maintain on site food lodges for students, families and their community. As a result of our program with partner schools reading comprehension rates have doubled and attendance is at record highs.
Wokini Bison Program-Restoring Our Relatives
Wokini, in our Lakota Language, means new beginnings. Our Pte Oyate are more than animals, they are relatives, teachers, and healers. Our Wokini herd is the foundation of restoring food sovereignty and security for our after school food program and re-establishing cultural food systems. Each calf born is a promise-a living act of restoration for the generations to come.