Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Once nearly wiped out, the plains bison, or buffalo, as they are often called by Native Americans, are returning to the Great Plains — and with them, a powerful story of cultural renewal, ecological restoration, and Indigenous leadership. In this episode of Nature Breaking, WWF’s Heather Dawn Thompson (a citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe) shares how Native Nations are leading efforts to restore buffalo populations, reclaim food sovereignty, and heal the land. From spiritual connections to practical conservation, this interview explores how buffalo are more than just wildlife — they are relatives, providers, and symbols of resilience.
Learn about the Tribal Buffalo Lifeways Collaboration, the role of buffalo in grassland ecosystems, and how communities are working together to bring these iconic animals home.
🎧 Listen in and be inspired by a story that’s still unfolding — one rooted in tradition, science, and hope.
Links for More Info:
Heather Dawn Thompson bio: worldwildlife.org/experts/heather-dawn-thompson
Tribal Buffalo Lifeways Collaboration: tribes.nativephilanthropy.org/tribal-buffalo
WWF’s Plains Bison page: worldwildlife.org/species/plains-bison
Chapters:
0:00 Preview
0:26 Intro
2:10 Heather Dawn’s background and role at WWF
7:58 History of buffalo and connection with Native Nations
10:07 Role of Heather Dawn’s family in conserving buffalo
13:00 What’s it like to see a buffalo in real life?
14:30 Buffalo harvest story
16:00 Connection between buffalo and healthy grasslands
20:16 Buffalo and food sovereignty for Native Nations
23:19 Tribal Buffalo Lifeways Collaboration
28:30 Biggest challenges to buffalo restoration
#Buffalo #NativeNations #WWF #NatureBreaking #FoodSovereignty #Bison #GreatPlains #Conservation #IndigenousLeadership #EcologicalHealing #NationalBisonMonth
Once nearly wiped out, the plains bison, or buffalo, as they are often called by Native Americans, are returning to the Great Plains — and with them, a powerful story of cultural renewal, ecological restoration, and Indigenous leadership. In this episode of Nature Breaking, WWF’s Heather Dawn Thompson (a citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe) shares how Native Nations are leading efforts to restore buffalo populations, reclaim food sovereignty, and heal the land. From spiritual connections to practical conservation, this interview explores how buffalo are more than just wildlife — they are relatives, providers, and symbols of resilience.
Learn about the Tribal Buffalo Lifeways Collaboration, the role of buffalo in grassland ecosystems, and how communities are working together to bring these iconic animals home.
🎧 Listen in and be inspired by a story that’s still unfolding — one rooted in tradition, science, and hope.
Links for More Info:
Heather Dawn Thompson bio: worldwildlife.org/experts/heather-dawn-thompson
Tribal Buffalo Lifeways Collaboration: tribes.nativephilanthropy.org/tribal-buffalo
WWF’s Plains Bison page: worldwildlife.org/species/plains-bison
Chapters:
0:00 Preview
0:26 Intro
2:10 Heather Dawn’s background and role at WWF
7:58 History of buffalo and connection with Native Nations
10:07 Role of Heather Dawn’s family in conserving buffalo
13:00 What’s it like to see a buffalo in real life?
14:30 Buffalo harvest story
16:00 Connection between buffalo and healthy grasslands
20:16 Buffalo and food sovereignty for Native Nations
23:19 Tribal Buffalo Lifeways Collaboration
28:30 Biggest challenges to buffalo restoration
#Buffalo #NativeNations #WWF #NatureBreaking #FoodSovereignty #Bison #GreatPlains #Conservation #IndigenousLeadership #EcologicalHealing #NationalBisonMonth
