Heinrich, Mullin Reintroduce Bipartisan Indian Buffalo Management Act

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) reintroduced the bipartisan Indian Buffalo Management Act, legislation to direct the U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary to coordinate with Tribes and Tribal organizations that have an established buffalo herd and management program, as well as provide resources for Tribes that would like to establish new herds.

"For generations, buffalo have been a critical part of our culture - in New Mexico, the West, and especially in Indian Country. And I hope that within my lifetime, thanks to our broad coalition, buffalo will return to the prominent place they once occupied as the keystone species on American shortgrass prairies," said Heinrich. "That's why I'm proud to reintroduce this bipartisan legislation to strengthen federal support for Tribal buffalo programs and continue the growth of Tribal buffalo herds. I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Mullin to strengthen this federal partnership and secure future funding for this initiative."

"The buffalo is essential to our heritage and must be supported. I am proud to reintroduce this important legislation that will help Tribes reestablish buffalo herds on reservation lands," said Mullin. "Doing so ensures that Native peoples across the country will continue reconnecting with a keystone of their historic culture and way of life."

The Indian Buffalo Management directs the Interior Secretary to work with Tribes and Tribal organizations to:

1. Promote and develop the capacity of Tribes and tribal organizations to manage buffalo and buffalo habitat;
2. Protect and enhance buffalo herds for the maximum benefit of Tribes; and
3. Ensure that Tribes are directly involved in the Interior Department decision-making regarding buffalo.

The bill has been endorsed by the InterTribal Buffalo Council, the National Wildlife Federation, the Nature Conservancy, the World Wildlife Fund, and the National Bison Association.

"We are so pleased that Senators Heinrich and Mullin are reintroducing this important legislation. There are 89 Tribes who are members of the ITBC in 22 states. We have been dependent on the buffalo spiritually, culturally and nutritionally for thousands of years, as this wonderful animal, whom we consider our relative, has provided for our people in ways too numerous to list. The Indian Buffalo Management Act passed the House in the 117th Congress when the late Don Young sponsored it and it passed the Senate last year. Now we look forward to passage through both bodies of Congress. Helping Tribes reestablish herds of buffalo on our reservations is a righteous thing for the Congress to do and will be thoroughly welcomed by Tribes and Indian people across the county," said Ervin Carlson, President of the InterTribal Buffalo Council (ITBC), Delbert Chisholm, Taos Pueblo of New Mexico Member, and Randy Hawk, Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma Member.

"Buffalo are a treaty right afforded to Tribes in support of food sovereignty and self-determination. This bill recognizes the federal government's trust obligation to build capacity and access to buffalo on Tribal lands," said Jason Baldes, Senior Tribal Buffalo Program Manager for the National Wildlife Federation. "We're working toward large scale restoration of buffalo across even larger landscapes, and the Indian Buffalo Management Act prioritizes the cross collaboration needed to amplify that effort."

"American buffalo are a national icon, as well as a global symbol of strength and resilience. They deserve protection-in the form of buffalo recovery and buffalo habitat restoration on Tribal lands. And Native American communities are best positioned to lead this work, given their ancient, ceremonial connection to buffalo. That is why The Nature Conservancy, which supports the transfer of buffalo to Tribal partners across the nation, is excited about this legislation," said Dr. Shane Doyle, North American Indigenous Right Relations Director for The Nature Conservancy.

"Buffalo represent everything that is strong, and good, and resilient about America and its people. For many Tribal Nations, they are also our relatives who are at the heart of our traditional lifeways, which is why Tribal Nations have led efforts to save them in the face of enormous historical challenges. The Indian Buffalo Management Act acknowledges the critical role that Tribal Nations are playing in bringing buffalo back - and the essential role that buffalo continue to play in food security, economic development, and cultural and spiritual life. We thank Senators Heinrich and Mullin for their leadership in reintroducing this bill to ensure continued federal support for Tribes and their work to restore and conserve this iconic American species," said Heather Dawn Thompson, Vice President for Native Nations Conservation and Food Systems, World Wildlife Fund.

Last year, Heinrich and Mullin secured Senate passage of their Indian Buffalo Management Act.

Additional Background:

Full Bill Text

Fact Sheet

The American Plains Bison, also known as the American Buffalo, is deeply connected to many Tribes, and has long held great meaning for Native Americans. Prior to the systematic destruction of the buffalo in 1800s, there were over 60 million bison roaming freely throughout much of the United States. They provided Tribes with everything from clothing, to food, shelter, utensils, pouches, headdresses, containers, arrows and much more. It is impossible to overstate their importance to Native Americans historically and, to this day, culturally.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has provided nominal funds for buffalo management for over 20 years. This legislation grows and strengthens that work by directing the Interior Secretary to support the work of Tribes and Tribal organizations that already have established buffalo herds and management programs and providing the opportunity to expand the program to other interested Tribes.

There are now 89 Tribes in 22 states that are members of the InterTribal Buffalo Council, up from 19 in 1991.

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