Problem

The Pine Ridge Reservation in rural southwest South Dakota is one of the most impoverished counties in the United States. While the Oglala Lakota Nation maintain a vibrant culture, the lack of formal employment opportunities is a huge weight on families across the reservation. While agriculture is one of the primary industries in this part of the country, numerous barriers have been put in the way of Lakota families from utilizing their allotted lands.

The Gift

Village Earth's Adopt-A-Buffalo campaign helps Lakota families reclaim their legally allotted lands from the BIA leasing system and access the resources needed to live on, protect, and utilize it, helping to return the balance between economy, ecology, and culture. To date - we have helped start two new Lakota owned buffalo ranches, and expand two more. We have also helped develop a marketing cooperative to help Lakota families share the costs of marketing their grass-fed, natural buffalo products.