buffalo tracks - InterTribal Buffalo Council
Transcription
buffalo tracks - InterTribal Buffalo Council
BUFFALO TRACKS INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL SPRING 2015 58 TRIBES PROUDLY SERVING THE BUFFALO NATION IN 19 STATES WWW.ITBCBUFFALO.COM 5 BUFFALO TRACKS INSIDE NEWS .........................................4-30 SCHOOLS ....................................... 31-36 HEALTH ...................................... 37-40 RECIPES ....................................... 41-42 INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL THE 58 TRIBES IN 19 STATES PROUDLY SERVING THE BUFFALO NATION Blackfeet Nation Cherokee Nation Cheyenne and Arapaho Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Chippewa Cree Tribe Cochiti Pueblo Confederated Salish & Kootenai Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Crow Creek Sioux Tribe Crow Tribe Flandreau Santee Sioux Fort Belknap Indian Community Fort Peck Ho-Chunk Nation Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Jicarilla Apache Nation Kalispel Tribe Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Mesa Grande Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma Nambe O-ween-ge Pueblo Nez Perce Tribe Northern Arapaho Northern Cheyenne Tribe Oglala Sioux Tribe Omaha Tribe of Nebraska Oneida Nation of Wisconsin Picuris Pueblo Contact us! INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO Pit River Tribe Pojoaque Pueblo Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Prairie Band Potawatomi Prairie Island Dakota Community Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma Rosebud Sioux Tribe Round Valley Indian Tribe Sac and Fox Tribe of Iowa Salt River Pima San Juan Pueblo Sandia Pueblo Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma Shoshone-Bannock Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Southern Ute Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Stevens Village Stillaguamish Tribe Taos Pueblo Tesuque Pueblo Three Affiliated Tribes Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Ute Indian Tribe Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska Yakama Nation Yankton Sioux Tribe 2497 W Chicago Street Rapid City, South Dakota 57702 605-394-9730 fax: 605-394-7742 COUNCIL 2 ©BUFFALO TRACKS | Spring 2015 www.itbcbuffalo.com ITBC MISSION “Restoring buffalo to Indian Country to preserve our historical, cultural, and traditional and spiritual relationship for future generations.” THE HISTORY The American buffalo, also known as bison, has always held great meaning for American Indian people. To Indian people, the buffalo represented their spirit and reminded them of how their lives were once lived free and in harmony with nature. In the 1800’s, the white-man recognized the reliance Indian tribes had on the buffalo. Thus began the systematic destruction of the buffalo to try to subjugate the western tribal nation. The slaughter of over 60 million buffalo left only a few hundred buffalo remaining. To reestablish healthy buffalo populations on tribal lands is to reestablish hope for Indian people. Members of the InterTribal Bison Cooperative (ITBC), now called InterTribal Buffalo Council, understood that reintroduction of the buffalo to tribal lands will help heal the spirit of both the Indian people and the buffalo. The InterTribal Buffalo Council (formerly InterTribal Bison Cooperative) was formed in 1990 to coordinate and assist tribes in returning the buffalo to Indian country. In February 1991, a meeting in the Black Hills of South Dakota, was hosted by the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society. It was obvious to everyone that the ITBC organization to assist tribes with their buffalo programs, was not only desired, but also necessary. With the hard work and dedication of the Society, Congress appropriated funding for the tribal buffalo programs in June of 1991. This action offered renewed hope that the sacred relationship between the Indian people and the Buffalo might not only be saved, but would in time flourish. ITBC TODAY ITBC has a membership of 58 tribes in 19 states with a collective herd of over 15,000 buffalo. Membership of ITBC remains open and there is continued interest by non-member tribes in the organization. ITBC is committed to reestablishing buffalo herds on the Indian lands in a manner that promotes cultural enhancement, spiritual revitalization, ecological restoration, and economic development. ITBC has been reorganized as a federally chartered Indian Organization under Section 17 of the Indian Reorganization Act. This was approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 2010. ITBC consists of a Membership that includes all the Tribes that have joined the organization and is governed by a Board of Directors, which is comprised of five elected officers and four regional representatives. The role of ITBC, as established by its membership, is to act as a facilitator in coordinating education and training programs, developing marketing strategies, coordinating the transfer of surplus buffalo from national parks and tribal lands, and providing technical assistance to its membership in developing sound management plans that will help each tribal herd become a successful and self-sufficient operation. INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL 3 NEWS INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL DIRECTORS Vice President MIKE FAITH Standing Rock Sioux Tribe PO Box 215 Fort Yates, ND 58538 Email: mpfjr@westriv.com c 701.471.2026 Treasurer LANCE TISSIDIMIT Shoshone-Bannock Tribes PO Box 306 Fort Hall, ID 83203 Email: ltissidimit@sho-ban.com Website: www.shoshonebannocktribes.com p 208.251.3833 c 208.251.8397 f 208.237.0979 Secretary LEROY ADAMS, JR. Yakama Nation Wildlife Resource Management PO Box 151 Toppenish, WA 98948 Email: kawichin@yakama.com www.ynwildlife.org p 509.865.5121 Ext. 6301 c 509.930.2188 Sergeant at Arms RAYMOND JETTY Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe 3798 77th Ave. NE St. Michaels, ND 58370 Website: www.spiritlakenation.com p 701.766.4221 c 701.351.2165 f 701.766.4126 REGIONAL DIRECTORS REGION I WAYNE FREDERICK Rosebud Sioux Tribe Tribal Council PO Box 27853 292 Ave. Winner, SD 57580 p 605.828.1266 Email: wfrederick@hotmail.com 4 ©BUFFALO TRACKS | Spring 2015 REGION II CHESTER WHITEMAN Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes PO Box 96, Concho, OK 73022-0096 Email: cwhiteman@c-a-tribes.org www.c-a-tribes.org p 800.247.4612 ext 27461 or 405.422.7454 c 405.618.6866, f 405.422.8285 REGION III MARK AZURE Fort Belknap Tribe Montana Email: mazure@ftbelknap.org 406.353.8303 REGION IV DELBERT CHISHOLM Taos Pueblo PO Box 2596, Taos, NM 87571 Email: dchisholm@taospueblo.com www.taospueblo.com p 575.758.3883, c 575.741.9020 f 575.758.2706 NEWS GREETINGS FROM THE PRESIDENT Greetings to ITBC Membership! This first quarter of 2015 has been filled with various activities and events for the protection and enhancement of ITBC’s goal to protect and enhance buffalo restoration and management in Indian County. President ERVIN CARLSON Blackfeet Nation PO Box 122, Browning, MT 59417 Email: ecarlsonsr@yahoo.com www.blackfeetnation.com Business phone: 406-338-7521 Cell: 406-450-2443 F: 406-338-7530 In January, the ITBC Board met in Denver to strategize on ITBC goals and objectives for 2015 and also met with its federal partners, the National Park Service and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, on collaborative efforts for buffalo conservation. The Board also met with the National Bison Association on the pending Bison Legacy Act and the proposed Presidential Task Force on Bison. ITBC’s involvement in these efforts will insure a Native American voice in critical buffalo discussions at a national level. Also in January, I met with the Montana Board of Livestock regarding its denial of ITBC’s request to transport surplus buffalo from National Parks into Montana. ITBC is awaiting finalization of a Montana Administrative rule change that the Board approved that will allow the transport of buffalo to Montana reservations. In February, I traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with Montana, South Dakota and New Mexico Congressional offices regarding support for continued funding and also to seek support for the proposed Buffalo legislation. Additionally, I met with the Bureau of Indian affairs on funding matters and to request funds to cover ITBC activities surrounding Yellowstone buffalo. Also in February, I testified at the Montana Legislature to oppose legislation harmful to the concept of free-roaming buffalo for Montana Tribes. In March, I again testified at the Montana Legislature for the protection of Yellowstone buffalo and to oppose restrictions on Tribal transport of buffalo to reservation lands. On March 19th and 20th, the ITBC Board held a second board meeting in Denver and discussed budget matters, surplus bison issues and developed testimony for an increase in federal funding. I traveled to Washington DC and provided ITBC’s testimony to the House Appropriation Committee on February 24th requesting a significant increase to ITBC funding in the FY2016 federal budget. The requested increase, if awarded, will increase herd development grants and restart an ITBC health initiative. So far in April, I have attended the Rocky Mountain Tribal Council meeting to discuss Yellowstone buffalo to reassure Tribes of ITBC’s commitment to the protection of Yellowstone buffalo. ITBC again received surplus Yellowstone buffalo and will be soon shipping processed buffalo to requesting member Tribes. While we welcome spring and the relief from the hardship of caring for buffalo during the winter months, many Tribes now face the challenge of drought. ITBC is responding to these concerns by hosting Drought Workshops, in partnership with NIDIS, NCCSC, NDMC and the USDA, and the first will be for Region 1 on April 30, 2015 in Rapid City. The workshops will continue for other regions through the fiscal year. As always, I remain committed to ITBC’s mission and invite your suggestions and comments as we move forward on behalf of buffalo in Indian Country. >> Ervin Carlson INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL 5 NEWS ITBC STAFF Executive Director JIM STONE p 605.394.9730 f 605.394.7742 jstone@itbcbison.com Fiscal Director ARNELL ABOLD p 605.394.9730 f 605.394.7742 arnell@itbcbison.com Project Director/ Marketing Coordinator DIANNE AMIOTTE-SEIDEL p 605.394.9730 f 605.394.7742 damiotte@itbcbison.com Range Technician TROY HEINERT p 605.394.9730 f 605.394.7742 troy@itbcbison.com Administrative Assistant MELISSA MARTIN p 605.394.9730 f 605.394.7742 mmartin@itbcbison.com ANA Administrative Assistant WANITA VANDERWALKER p 605.394.9730 f 605.394.7742 wanita@itbcbison.com Technical Services Provider LISA COLOMBE p 605.394.9730 f 605.394.7742 lisa@itbcbison.com Accounting Assistant RITA WEATHERBEE p 605.394.9730 f 605.394.7742 rita@itbcbison.com ANA ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Hello! My name is Wanita Vanderwalker. I joined the InterTribal Buffalo Council staff as the new ANA Administrative Assistant on March 9, 2015. I am a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Rosebud, South Dakota. I have an Associate Degree in Business Management from Sinte Gleska University, Mission, South Dakota. I have three sons and two granddaughters. The ITBC staff have been very welcoming and I am enjoying my new position here with such great staff. As the ANA Administrative Assistant, I will be assisting with the mission of “Restoring buffalo to Indian Country to preserve our historical, cultural, and traditional and spiritual relationship for 6 ©BUFFALO TRACKS | Spring 2015 future generations”. I am excited to be a part of the mission to help heal the spirit of both the Indian people and the buffalo. I am looking forward to meeting everyone involved and wish everyone a wonderful summer! >> Wanita Vanderwalker NEWS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WELCOME I hope everyone had a good winter, although here in Rapid City it doesn’t seem to want to leave. It looks like we may be seeing some issues with drought again this spring and summer so people should prepare to have enough hay for next winter season. From the papers I follow I see that we have had some successes in the basketball seasons across the country and even some Tribal members playing in college basketball. I know that things at the office slow down this time of year as all the buffalo program staff are out in the field getting things done, but we will try to stay busy. We are always looking for pictures of the buffalo programs, staff and animals, so if you have any feel free to send them to the staff and we will get them in the newsletter or in some of our publications. We would especially like some pictures of calves as it is that season. YNP to go over the year. We typically look at how the harvest was conducted and what changes need to be made. This year we will look at the timing of animals being processed and impacts on the hunt. We also work with YNP to ensure that they are implementing low stress handling practices. FARM TO SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS ITBC has been implementing a F2S grant that focuses on South Dakota and getting schools on the reservations involved in F2S activities. These typically focus on knowing where your food comes from, school gardens and education. These activities are a natural fit for ITBC and our Tribes, because we have been doing these things already. Tribes take kids out to the buffalo pastures and some let them observe the harvesting of animals. ITBC has been working on educational materials on buffalo and a lot of Tribes have started gardening projects. We have been working with F2S staff to let them know what we have been doing and that schools can be a good fit in the programs. ITBC is working with schools to do taste testing and see if they would want to write plan or implement grants to F2S. MT LEGISLATIVE SESSION ITBC has been working with a partnership of Tribes and NGOs to combat the multiple anti-buffalo bills that are considered during the legislative sessions that are held every two years. We have been successful in defeating most of the bills this year with the exception of one (SB 284), which we hope to have the Governor veto. It would give counties approval and authority on buffalo being brought into their counties. ITBC has been expanding our work with NGOs in the wildlife, conservation and local foods arenas in the past year. We have had to accept that there are areas where we may not completely agree and agree to focus on the areas where we are on the same page. This has been done in order to get more resources for our tribes and highlight the work tribes are doing that warrant greater awareness. This has increased the workload on the staff as most of these partnerships require time and resources to be on conference calls and email chains that seem to never end. >> Jim Stone YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK ITBC continues to work on the buffalo issues surrounding YNP and the process of getting a new operating plan in place. The old plan (IBMP) is being replaced through a joint effort by YNP and the state of MT. It is at this time that we need to place as much pressure as possible and get the most input towards the process to get an increase in the amount of buffalo in YNP and a greater tolerance for buffalo as they migrate outside the park on other federal lands. This past year seen a lot of activity early on in the season with animals being harvested through the hunt and processing, but because of the weather the season was shorter than last year. This had a big impact on the Tribes that historically have hunted later in the season. At this point, we have asked for a meeting with INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL 7 NEWS THE FARM TO SCHOOL AND ADMINISTRATION FOR NATIVE AMERICANS (ANA) GRANT The InterTribal Buffalo Council (ITBC) received a one-year USDA Support Service Grant. The project plan of this grant will involve schools that are eligible on the Tribal Reservations in South Dakota. I will be doing an on-site visit with 33 schools and at the end of the grant, this project will conduct on-site visits and face-to-face assessments of each of the schools and corresponding Tribes to determine their ability to provide locally raised Tribal buffalo meat into their school lunch programs. This will include the Tribes and Schools infrastructure (cold storage, corrals, etc.), supply buffalo, staff training at various levels as well as receive local support. ITBC will also assess the ability of all schools to procure other locally produced food products and implementations of school gardens. ITBC will be working with 15 Tribal Schools. I will evaluate the schools’ abilities to participate in the Farm to School Program. • Flandreau Indian School – 220 students • Loneman Day School – 265 students • Marty Indian School – 230 students • Crazy Horse School – 270 students • Sitting Bull School – 96 students • Rock Creek Grant School – 68 students • Todd County High School – 371 students • Todd County Middle School – 401 students • Todd County Elementary – 626 students • Resource Center – 57 students As of today I have visited the following schools: • Wanbli Wiconi Tipi – 11 students • Tiospa Zina Tribal School – 545 students • Rosebud Elementary – 292 students 8 ©BUFFALO TRACKS | Spring 2015 NEWS • He Dog Elementary – 117 students the ANA grant by that date. • Lakeview Elementary – 54 students Besides having meetings at the schools, I have been doing a lot of traveling setting up the ITBC booth and giving presentations. • Littleburg Elementary – 28 students • Klein Elementary – 25 students • O’Kreek Elementary – 29 students • Spring Creek Elementary – 85 students I will continue doing on-site visits with the rest of the South Dakota Tribal Schools. I am still working on the ANA grant with all the 58 Tribes throughout the 19 different states and as of today there are 7,667 Native students that are eating buffalo meat in their school lunch menu. If there are any more Tribal Schools that the Tribe would like me to work with before September 30, 2015, please let me know, otherwise I will have completed These are the places that I have traveled in the last few months: The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) held in Anchorage Alaska, The National RES Conference held at Las Vegas, NV, the 2015 State Tribal Relations Day Held at Pierre, SD, ANA Grantee Workshop held at the Pueblo Pojoaque Tribes Buffalo Thunder Resort, and the Northern Arapahoe Tribe in Riverton, WY. I was also a special guest at the Red Cloud Indian School on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Wanita Vanderwalker has joined ITBC as the ANA Assistant, Wanita is an enrolled member from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and she is doing an excellent job. Feel free to give Wanita a call just to say “hello.” The Yellowstone buffalo meat came in from Stillwater Packing Plant and Big Timber Packing Plant. The buffalo meat that came from Big Timber came in various weights and cuts, so Wanita and I took the time to repack 6800 lbs. of meat! For the Member Tribes interested in any of the buffalo meat, they will need to come to Rapid City, South Dakota to pick it up or pay for ITBC to ship the meat to their Tribe. Please contact me if you have any questions regarding any information on Marketing or incorporating buffalo meat into your Tribal Entities or Tribal Schools. >> Dianne Amiotte-Seidel INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL 9 NEWS TECHNICAL SERVICES / BIOLOGY REPORT ITBC TECHNICAL SERVICES ITBC Technical Services has been busy with field work, research & surplus duties. Lisa Colombe, Technical Services Director, has also attended and implemented several Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) Drought and SSDPG Handling trainings. More on the CIG Project in our next issue. SURPLUS ANIMAL SUMMARY 2014-2015: The 2014-2015 Surplus of live animals was western and wooly but approximately 850 bison made their new home on tribal lands in the Dakotas, Montana, California, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Washington. 426 animals were surplused from Badlands National Park, 399 from Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and smaller donations from National Bison Range in MT, Ft. Niobrara (Nebraska), Neal Smith (Iowa) and Wichita Mountains (Oklahoma) National Wildlife Refuges. Some animals were held in partnership with the Rosebud Nation in South Dakota for requests made from Montana Tribes. Picture (left) above is Kaktis, volunteer field hand and son of Lisa Colombe, assisting with nine young animal and (right) picture is of the 50 head of animals that Tech Services rounded up in mid-January from the Little White River near Norris, SD. Those rounded up were then surplus animals shipped home to Santee Nation, Montana tribes, and Crow Creek, in which Crow Creek donated their 12 animals to Pe Sla Foundation/Tribes in the sacred Black Hills of South Dakota. Above are pictures of the release in the Black Hills, SD. This was monumental for several reasons, one being land status in process from “Fee” to “Trust” status. This change will impact tribes across the Nation. Pictures include on left, the return of bison to the Black Hills (Valerie Howey Photo) and on right, the first Cherokee Nation Calf on 4/8/15 (Chris Barnhart Photo). Exciting to see the first calves for some of the ITBC new member tribes. Thank you National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges for coordination of surplus to tribal lands. ITBC is grateful for the tribes and parks/refuges support and partnership. THREE REGIONAL LOW STRESS HANDLING WORKSHOPS Three Regional Low Stress Handling workshops have been funded by the Small Socially-Disadvantaged Producer Grant (SSDPG). The first low stress handling training was held in August 2014 for Region I in Watertown, SD and featured Temple Grandin through partnership with SDSU Extension Service. There were over 20 participants and it was very informational. Temple’s best advice is to keep only one or two animals in the working tub at a time. There was great discussion by a small group of member tribes after the main session. THE SECOND SAFE HANDLING WORKSHOP The second Safe Handling workshop was developed around the generous hosting at Quapaw Nation in Oklahoma and their need to work a few animals through the chutes to haul to another pasture/facility. Over 20 people attended and participated March 11-12, 2015. Once again, “hands on” training was very helpful to tribal herdsmen/women and the 10 ©BUFFALO TRACKS | Spring 2015 NEWS Quapaw have done research and constructed a model handling system. Of course not all tribes may have the funding, hence why Colombe has partnered with Dr. Clayton Kelling once again on a Handling Project (Best Handling Practices for Range Bison Herds) that was funded (Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health Pilot Project) and compliments the efforts of the SSDPG Project. Handling surveys document safety and functionalism at all facilities members and ITBC works within and the goal is to create a better understanding of the need at tribal and park/refuge corral and pasture systems to minimize stress and injury for all. Below pictures courtesy of Syd Colombe, Modoc Tribe in Oklahoma. (Third SSDPG training with 25+ participants also took place in Taos, NM and hosted successfully by ITBC Board Member, Delbert Chisholm and war chiefs March 24-25, 2015.) Field work is the best time of the year. Everyone be prepared and safe this year! >> Lisa Colombe Quapaw herd manager and Colombe aging a young animal (left) and Shane Koepnick, Modoc Herdsmen (bottom right) INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL 11 NEWS NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION During one of the biggest gatherings of educators, Dianne Amiotte-Seidel and Sylvia Skalisky represented InterTribal Buffalo Council (ITBC) at a booth to help spread the word about the schools that have incorporated buffalo meat into their programs. The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) serves as the premiere organization advocating for Native students and works to ensure that all students are provided high-quality academic and cultural education. The organization coordinates education efforts through advocacy, research, and capacity-building. 12 ©BUFFALO TRACKS | Spring 2015 The weeklong conference, which was held in Anchorage, Alaska, brought together educators from around the United States to share ideas and attend workshops on issues that affect Native American students today. The tradeshow showcased many universities and other advocates for education. The conference attendees were introduced to the work that the Project Director has been doing under the ANA Grant. >> Dianne Amiotte-Seidel NEWS 2014 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING The 2014 Annual Membership was called to order by InterTribal Buffalo Council’s Board President, Ervin Carlson, in Las Vegas, NV. The two day meeting started with an opening prayer by Russell Eagle Bear, from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. The roll call was given by Truman Jefferson, and all members introduced themselves to the rest of the membership. President, delivered the honoring speech for Russell. A buffalo hide was given for the honoring as a thank you for his years of service. Ervin Carlson spoke about Russell and stated “he keeps us focused.” Russell gave thanks to the membership and spoke about his belief in the organization. Russell received handshakes and hugs from the membership and ITBC Staff. Region 1 Director, Russell EagleBear, was honored for his years as a representative, and ITBC Director, Mike Faith, Vice Treasurer, Lance Tissidimit, and Fiscal Director, Arnell Abold, gave the Treasurer’s Report. Jim Stone, ITBC’s Executive Director, gave a recap of the year and spoke about the important items that ITBC has been working on. The Membership Minutes from the previous year were reviewed with Majel Russell from Elk River Law Office and ITBC lawyer. Action items were highlighted and the membership voted on new changes. Diane Mann-Klager, Regional BIA Natural Resources Officer, addressed the membership about the relationship with ITBC and the BIA. Diane went into detail INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL 13 NEWS with ITBC and how the organization has been in compliance with the developed scope of work and has done well administering the herd development grants. Majel Russell mentioned the history of Herd Development and explained how it is funded from the BIA. Diane feels it is fortunate to have ITBC involved and hopes to continue the success of the grant funding. After Diane finished with her presentation, Jim Stone, Executive Director, gave his presentation on the year’s updates. Jim highlighted Yellowstone buffalo issues and the upcoming Montana Legislature activities/efforts that attempt to prevent translocating buffalo to tribes. An ongoing discussion about Brucellosis was also mentioned. Jim discussed the lack of evidence of transmission from buffalo to cattle although there is constant attacks on the buffalo. An annual report was put together, which Jim encouraged the membership to reference for other highlighted activities throughout the year. As Jim’s presentation came to a close, Dan Cornelius began to present to the membership. Dan is the Intertribal Agriculture Council’s (IAC) Technical Assistance Specialist for the Great Lakes Region, which includes Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Iowa. His position focuses on helping Indian Tribes and Tribal food producers gain better access to USDA programs, as well as on general food and agricultural issues. Dan talked with the membership about the goals of the organization and invited members to contact him with questions on the programs and future involvement. An update was given to the membership on the new ITBC video project. Sam Hurst is the individual contracted to do the project. Sam also worked on the original movie which was made in the 90’s. The new video will provide updated information and progress, which includes a buffalo round up of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal herd, and the Buffalo 14 ©BUFFALO TRACKS | Spring 2015 Treaty signing in Montana. The video is scheduled to be completed by April, 2015. Other presentations by Wildsky Beef and Dr. Terry Clark from APHIS were held and gave the membership valued information that they can carry back with them for use with their herds. Regional caucuses were called in order for Regional Directors to hear concerns and ask questions of the members tribes in their region. With Russell EagleBear’s change as Regional Director, Region One discussed new nominations and a new Director would be appointed at a future date. The next order of business was the nominations for the ending term of the Vice-President. A nomination for Mike Faith, the current position holder, was presented and the motion was carried with no opposition to Mike. NEWS Robbie Magnan, representative for Fort Peck, discussed the cultural significance of the buffalo for his Tribe. He also talked about the process to obtain buffalo and the Tribe’s compliance with federal requirements. Fort Belknap Indian Community representative, Mark Azure, elaborated on the receipt and management of Yellowstone Buffalo that went through quarantine process. Immediately following their presentation, Chaleen Brewer was invited to talk and present to the membership about diabetes and the importance of healthy diet. She put an emphasis on the benefits of buffalo to combat disease. Chaleen who is an Oglala Lakota and Hopi, has experience with indigenous foods and connecting people to their cultural food-ways since 2000. As a nutritionist, she knows the difficulties rural communities have with access to good healthy food. Brewer told of studies linked to the integration of culture and management of diseases, which can be beneficial with prevention. Truman Jefferson, ITBC’s Secretary announced his resignation from his position. With this new change, Leroy Adams was elected Secretary and currently serves in this capacity. The second day of the meeting began with a honoring for outgoing Secretary, Truman Jefferson. Truman has served as the representative for the Crow Tribe for seven years and served as Secretary for the past four years. He has been a valued member of the Board and influential. A presentation was given regarding the Yellowstone National Park and the Yellowstone buffalo. Jim Stone, Mark Azure, Robbie Magnan, and Majel Russell discussed the issues surrounding ITBC’s involvement and the overall objective to translocate live Yellowstone Buffalo to Indian Country. Jim Stone discussed the process to release buffalo after quarantine and revision of the environmental impact statement issued for management of Yellowstone Buffalo. Other presenters gave valuable information to the membership and continued to focus on buffalo handling and marketing options. The Blackfeet Inii Treaty signing was discussed and presented to the membership. The Treaty was signed on September 23, 2014 by numerous Tribes to honor, recognize, and revitalize the time immemorial relationship with the buffalo. Terry Tatsey, Blackfeet Tribe, Paulette Fox, Blood Tribe of Canada, and Harry Barnes, Chairman of Blackfeet Nation, talked about the historic treaty. The Tribes committed to provide a safe space and environment across the historic homelands, on both sides of the United States-Canada border. The treaty will help once again realize the ways of the buffalo for future generations. Closing remarks were given by Ervin Carlson, Board President, and Chester Whiteman closed the meeting with a final prayer for the Membership. >> Sylvia Skalisky INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL 15 NEWS SIOUX VALLEY DAKOTA NATION VISITS ITBC Representatives from the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation visited the InterTribal Buffalo Council office in Rapid City, South Dakota on April 13, 2015. Sioux Valley Dakota Nation is located in the Province of Manitoba in Canada which is north and east of the Turtle Mountain. It is in a regular area of 3 miles by 6 miles and contains 9,374 acres. Sioux Valley Dakota Nation currently has a population of approximately 2,400 members of which 1,600 live on-reserve. Raymond Jetty Jr., ITBC Board Member, accompanied the representatives; Vincent Tacan, Chief of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, and District Representatives: Wilson Kennedy, Tony Tacan, and Mark Hall. The Sioux Valley Dakota Nation incorporated Dakota Valley Buffalo Corporation on July 16, 2014 whose mission is to develop and maintain a commercially viable buffalo herd which also benefits the community through 16 ©BUFFALO TRACKS | Spring 2015 NEWS the promotion of culture, spirituality and education, as well as providing a viable and healthy traditional food source for the people of Sioux Valley. The corporation is owned wholly by Sioux Valley Dakota Nation. It is a federal corporation incorporated under the Canada Business Corporation Act, and therefore is registered to do business in all provinces in Canada. In 2010 the City of Winnipeg presented Sioux Valley Dakota Nation with a gift of two buffalo, including one pure white buffalo, around which Sioux Valley Dakota Nation has built a current herd of 23 buffalo including seven calves and growing. They are currently cared for in an 80-acre pasture with page-wire fencing. The goal of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation is to expand both its land base and buffalo herd. The Dakota Valley Buffalo Corporation is directed by Chief Vincent Tacan, Councilor Anthony Tacan, and Sioux Valley Dakota Nation citizen Donny Elk. As Associated Members of InterTribal Buffalo Council, the purpose of their visit was to see how they could implement a project in Canada to achieve the same goals as ITBC does in the United States. >> Wanita Vanderwalker INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL 17 NEWS BISON FROM FARM TO TABLE One of our most enduring American images is that of the great American buffalo, or species Bison. These huge, shaggy animals once roamed from Canada to Mexico, grazing the Great Plains and mountain areas of our country. Bison were the center of life for the Plains tribes of Native Americans who found in them nearly all the food, clothing, and shelter they needed. Hunted for their furs in the 1600’s and later for their tongues, bones, and meat, it was estimated by 1893 that there were only slightly more than 300 bison left, from numbers estimated at one time to be over 60 million. The following information is about this species which is making a comeback and growing rapidly in numbers. WHAT IS BISON? The National Bison Association encourages the name bison to differentiate the American buffalo from the Asian Water buffalo and African Cape buffalo. The American buffalo is not a true buffalo. Its scientific name is bison and it belongs to the bovine family along with domestic cattle. The bison bull is the largest animal indigenous to North America. A bull can stand taller than 6 feet at the hump and weigh more than a ton. They are strong and aggressive, and can jump as well as deer, outmaneuver horses, and break through fences that would imprison other livestock. “Beefalo” are 3/8 bison and 5/8 domestic cattle. (The natural result of a bisondomestic bovine cross breeding is a sterile offspring. It has taken years of research to develop this breed.) The advantages of this cross are fertility and easy calving. Beefalo gain weight well on inexpensive, high-roughage feed and are very hardy. HOW ARE BISON RAISED? According to the most recent census of Agriculture (in 2007), there were approximately 200,000 bison in the U.S., more than 25% of them in North and 18 ©BUFFALO TRACKS | Spring 2015 South Dakota. Unlike the older, tougher animals the Native Americans ate, today’s bison are custom-fed and slaughtered at about 18 months, so the meat is as tender as beef. Some 20,000 buffalo are slaughtered each year (compared to approximately 125,000 cattle per day). Bison are allowed to roam freely most of their lives. They are raised on the open range and eat hay or grass. They are usually given grain during the last 90 to 120 days before slaughter. (The fat of grass-fed animals is yellow, which is good since it contains beta-carotene; however, most consumers prefer the fat to be white.) Surplus buffalo bulls are selected at about 2 ½ years of age (buffalo can live to be 40 years old) and spend a very short time in the feedlots. CAN HORMONES AND ANTIBIOTICS BE USED IN BISON RAISING? Antibiotics and growth hormones are not given to bison. HOW IS BISON INSPECTED? Bison may be inspected under voluntary federal inspection or FDA equivalent inspection. FDA equivalent inspection includes state inspection. Under voluntary federal inspection by USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), businesses pay an hourly rate for inspection services. Voluntary inspection is handled under the Agriculture Marketing Act, which gives the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to take whatever steps are necessary to make the product marketable. Federal inspection is done on a carcass-by-carcass NEWS basis by FSIS. The FSIS inspector must have knowledge about that particular species and the carcass must fit available equipment in the plant. Each bison and its internal organs are inspected for signs of disease. The triangle shaped “U.S. Inspected and Passed” seal ensures the bison is wholesome and free from disease. Note: Some states require all exotic animals be inspected in order to be sold in commerce. IS BISON GRADED? No. HOW IS BISON DIFFERENT FROM BEEF? Bison is a deeper red color before cooking because there is no marbling (white flecks of fat within the meat muscle). Bison is said to have a sweeter, richer flavor than beef and has less fat and fewer calories than beef. According to USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), 100 grams of raw bison (separable lean only) contains 109 calories and 1.8 grams fat. The same amount of raw beef (separable lean only, Choice grade) contains 291 calories, and 24 grams fat. RETAIL CUTS OF BISON Retail cuts are similar to those of beef. HOW MUCH BISON IS CONSUMED? The National Bison Association estimates annual U.S. per capita consumption at .07 pounds per person. SAFE HANDLING OF BISON Handle bison meat the same as any other type of meat. Make your selection just before checking out at the register. Put packages of raw bison in disposable plastic bags (if available) to contain any leakage which could cross contaminate cooked foods or produce. Take packaged bison home immediately and refrigerate it at 40° F or below; use within 3 to 5 days, or freeze at 0° F or below. If kept frozen continuously, it will be safe indefinitely. THAWING FROZEN BISON MEAT There are three ways to thaw meat: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave. Never thaw on the counter or in other locations. It’s best to plan ahead for slow, safe thawing in the refrigerator. To thaw in cold water, do not remove packaging. Be sure the package is airtight or put it into a leakproof bag. Submerge the package in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes so it continues to thaw. When microwave defrosting meat, plan to cook it immediately after thawing because some areas of the food may become warm and begin to cook during microwaving. Holding partially cooked food is not recommended because any bacteria present wouldn’t have been destroyed. Foods defrosted in the microwave or by the cold water method should be cooked before refreezing because they may potentially have been held at temperatures above 40° F allowing harmful bacteria to grow. PREPARING BISON Bison is very lean and lacks fat marbling, so care should be taken to not overcook it. •In general, bison should be cooked using low heat (325° F) and longer cooking times. •Braising or other moist cooking methods are recommended for bison roasts and steaks. •For thin-sliced bison, use quick cooking methods such as broiling and pan frying. • Cook raw ground bison to an internal temperature of 160° F as measured with a food thermometer. • Cook all raw bison steaks and roasts to a minimum internal temperature of 145° F as measured with a food thermometer before removing meat from the heat source. For safety and quality, allow meat to rest for at least three minutes before carving or consuming. For reasons of personal preference, consumers may choose to cook meat to high temperatures. L• ess tender cuts should be braised (roasted or simmered with a small amount of liquid in a tightly covered pan) or stewed. STORAGE TIMES Purchase bison products before any “SellBy” dates expire. It is not important if a date expires after freezing bison because all foods stay safe while frozen. Because purchase dates are a guide to the retailer, follow these tips for safe storage and use at home. • Follow handling recommendations on product. • Keep bison meat in its package until using. •It is safe to freeze bison meat in its original packaging. If freezing longer than 2 months, overwrap these packages with airtight heavy-duty foil, plastic wrap or freezer paper, or place the package inside a plastic bag. • For best quality, cook or freeze ground bison or stew meat within 2 days of purchase; larger cuts such as roasts and steaks, within 3 to 5 days. •Ground or cut-up bison meat will keep its best quality in the freezer for 4 months. Larger cuts, such as chops, steaks, legs, or loins will keep their best quality 6 to 9 months. • After cooking, eat or freeze bison with 3 to 4 days. For more information about bison, see the National Bison Association Web site: http://www.bisoncentral.com >> Reprinted with permission from USDA INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL 19 NEWS MAMMOTH SITE SCIENTISTS HELP RESEARCH RARE 9,300-YEAR-OLD It’s a gnarled beast, but more than 9,000 years of being frozen solid in the Siberian tundra hadn’t exactly been beauty rest. The permafrost conditions, however, did preserve one beauty of a specimen for the world of natural science. A yak at first glance, the creature is actually a 9,300-year-old mummified bull Steppe bison that has remained completely intact, one of only two ever discovered. Sadly, despite weighing almost two-thirds of a ton, he apparently died because he couldn’t find enough to eat. Because of its connection to a pair of local scientists, the bison may be making an appearance at the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs. Two researchers from the Mammoth Site, Olga Potapova and Larry Agenbroad, spent much of the last three years helping a team of Russian scientists study the mummy known now as the Yukagir Bison, named for the community of Yukagir in eastern Siberia, where it was found in 2010. Long extinct, the species is believed to have died off near the end of the Ice Age roughly 10,000 years ago with the likes of saber-toothed tigers and mammoths. in Berlin. Originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, she had previously researched Steppe bison and since 2001 has been studying mammals modern and extinct at the Mammoth Site. Agenbroad died shortly before the November presentation, but among his other roles, he was vital in making sure the creature was in fact a bison. The team’s research was selected as a feature presentation by the society, which chose only nine reports of 900 overall submissions. Next year, the physical and natural sciences journal Quaternary International will feature the Yukagir Bison research, which is continuing. Despite such a gap in time, a physical likeness of the mummified bison can still be seen among American bison like those roaming Custer State Park today. Radiocarbon-date estimates put the bison at 9,300 years old. The scientists estimate that it stood more than 5 feet tall at the shoulders and weighed up to 1,300 pounds, Potapova said. A study of its intact incisor teeth led the researchers to believe it died at about age 4. Potapova joined her Russian colleagues in November to present the team’s findings to the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology at its annual conference At 4 years old with room to grow, the Yukagir Bison would have been roughly the same size and stature as a 6-year-old American bison in terms of weight, height 20 ©BUFFALO TRACKS | Spring 2015 at the shoulders and width between the tips of horns, Potapova said. “It showed some similarities to the modern American bison,” Potapova said. “It’s big for its age.” The massive creature probably died hungry. The researchers’ cause-of-death hypothesis stems from a sheer lack of fat reserves found in the abdomen and neck areas of the animal. “This animal completely lacked subcutaneous (meaning under-the-skin) fat, and this is an indication that the animal might have died from starvation,” she said. “There were no injuries found on this bison, so it wasn’t killed by predators.” In late 2011, the South Dakota scientists had been asked by the Yakutian Academy of Sciences in Yakutsk, Russia, to take part in the study by researching points of interest like the age, weight and size of the bison, and how it compared to modern varieties of the mammal. The two scientists worked from home base until this past spring when Potapova joined the team in Russia to take an inside look of the creature by completing a necropsy. Because of the completeness of the specimen, the Yukagir Bison is unique on several fronts. Potapova said body parts like the lips, ears, tail and genitals would typically have been eaten long ago by predators. “That is what’s usually missing on the carcasses found in the Arctic,” Potapova NEWS said. “This bison was absolutely complete. From the hooves to the horns, everything was complete.” Potapova said the research team believes the Yukagir Bison died at the end of the winter or in early spring, which is supported by its lack of fat reserves. The carcass was uncovered in a “sleeping pose” on the thawing slope of a lake, leaving the team to believe that it died peacefully. She said the most likely reason the body remained intact is the annual partial thaw of the tundra, which quickly inundated area streams and the lake, submerging the bison before predators could get the meal. The scientists believe the carcass continued to sink and was eventually locked in time by a covering of silt. As a result, the innards of the bison also remained perfectly preserved by the frozen cold, which allowed an extremely rare chance to examine the animal both inside and out. “That’s a whole different story,” Potapova said. “The heart, lungs, stomach, intestines, liver, kidneys, genitals ... were all preserved and in perfect condition.” Although some of the organs couldn’t be identified, the parasite-free Yukagir Bison’s digestive system contained mostly remnants of grasses and herbs. The bison mummy is being stored in a deep-freeze facility in Yakutsk. Plans are in place to showcase the mummy in Yakutsk before starting a traveling exhibit on the bison. The Mammoth Site is working with National Park Service officials to bring the beast to the United States and, in the near future, to the Mammoth Site as part of its existing exhibit on the bison and other Siberian mummies. “It remains one of two complete Steppe bison currently available in the world,” Potapova said. The other, which is on display in Alaska, actually is a less complete specimen because before it was mounted, she said, some body parts were removed. >> Reprinted with permission from Rapid City Journal COE Childhood Obesity Prevention Program Giving our children the best in life…. Center of Excellence in Minority Health and Health Disparities A program of the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board www.gptchb.org Mom and Dad, I want to run with the rivers, dance with the wind, I want to play in the snow and splash in the water! I want to walk this earth in a good healthy way! Please help me eat only the best things for me, encourage me to play and exercise, but most of all, I want you to take my hand and walk this healthy road with me! Love, Your Child For more information visit us at www.sacred-life.org or call 605-721-1922 ...begins with what we feed them...feed their health! INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL 21 NEWS 2015 STATE TRIBAL RELATIONS DAY HELD AT THE RED ROSSA HOTEL PIERRE, SD - Dianne AmiotteSeidel, Project Director/Marketing Coordinator, attended the 2015 State Tribal Relations Event held February 25th & 26th highlighting “Cooperation in Agriculture.” On February 25, 2015 the South Dakota Department of Tribal Relations and South Dakota Department of Agriculture hosted Tribal leaders at a Listening Session with speakers from Federal, State, and Tribal organizations. That evening a legislative reception was held to bring together tribal leaders and legislators. Governor Daugaard attended to honor the new Secretary of Tribal Relations, Steve Emery (Member of Rosebud Sioux Tribe). Dianne spoke with Governor Daugaard regarding the obstacles the InterTribal Buffalo Council (ITBC) is having incorporating buffalo meat into the Tribes School lunch menu, because of Tribes having to use a USDA Slaughtering Plant. Most of the Tribal Schools receive Federal Funding; which, is required to utilize a USDA Slaughter Plant in order to receive Federal funding for their school lunches. There are only two 22 ©BUFFALO TRACKS | Spring 2015 USDA Slaughter Plants in the state of South Dakota. This means that most of the Tribes have to haul their buffalo hundreds of miles, to incorporate buffalo meat into their Tribal School lunch menu. Governor Daugaard would like to see a waiver for the Tribal Schools having to utilize USDA slaughter plants. ITBC had a booth and passed out information regarding the corporation and donated buffalo meat for a traditional meal of buffalo stew, wojapi, and fry bread that was prepared by the Lower Brule High School Prostart Culinary students and served to all the attendees. The students from Tiospa Zina and Enemy Swim Tribal Schools from the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate provided song and dance with Danny Seaboy commentating to the attendees the importance of the drum and the meaning of the dances. Below: Students from the Lower Brule High School Prostart Culinary Program prepare a traditional meal of buffalo stew, wojapi and fry bread for the 2015 State Tribal Relations Rotunda Ceremony. — South Dakota State Capitol. The buffalo meat was donated by the InterTribal Buffalo Council. NEWS INDIGENOUS RIDER SPEAKS TO STUDENTS AT LOWER BRULE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LOWER BRULE- On Jan. 16, sixth graders from Lower Brule Elementary were visited by Rex Carolin, a member of a motorcycle riding group based out of Phoenix, Arizona, called Indigenous Riders. On behalf of InterTribal Buffalo Council (ITBC), he came to speak to the class about the importance of the buffalo to Lakota teachings. He spoke to them about how they should be proud of their heritage and how each of them were on this earth for a purpose and how important it is to get an education and to listen to their elders and show respect. The students were captivated by his presentation and were rewarded with buffalo jerky, pens, VoteBison.org pins and a brochure about the Traditional Uses of the Bison, which shows how each part of the buffalo was used. The items were all donated by InterTribal Buffalo Council. Carolin also visited with them about the health benefits of consuming buffalo meat and how, traditionally, it was what sustained the Lakota people in the days when buffalo roamed freely over the land. He shared with them another brochure, which shows how InterTribal Buffalo Council works with tribal schools to help them get buffalo meat into their school lunch programs. culture. He brought with him a buffalo box made from a hide and some samples of various tools, bags/pouches and items made from parts of the animal. He taught the students about the importance of preserving their culture through oral Ms. Janet Moreland, the 6th grade teacher said, “A sense of urgency to share their Native American heritage whispers in the ears of the elders, and coming-of-age elders, in tribes all over the nation. Learning about the buffalo through listening, seeing, and touching the relics provided optimal learning for the students. Some will likely never forget this presentation.” ITBC is a Tribal membership organization with 58 member Tribes, including Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. Ben Janis, the ITBC representative from Lower Brule and the Director of Lower Brule Sioux Tribe’s Dept. of Wildlife, Fish and Recreation, visited the class during Rex’s presentation and answered questions about the Tribe’s buffalo herds. ITBC’s main mission is to restore buffalo to native lands and to promote the health benefits of eating buffalo meat. The organization sponsors the Indigenous Riders Iron Pony Intertribal Honor Run where the group visits several different tribes each summer to promote cultural awareness by teaching how to put up and take down a tipi and talking about Native culture. The group also puts on a buffalo feed (donated by ITBC) and often entertains the guests with a surprise visitor. Rex Carolin said, “Our group comes to the tribal communities to honor the people. We cook for them, we serve them, we share information, we teach them, but we also learn from them.” On July 24, 2015, the Indigenous Riders Iron Pony Intertribal Honor Run will return to Lower Brule Sioux Tribe to present them with a free buffalo stew feed and tipi demonstration, which is open to the public. They will be at the Lower Brule Community Center at 3:00 p.m. This year’s theme will be about Domestic Violence. Anyone interested in riding with this group on their Iron Pony Run, which starts at Crazy Horse Memorial on July 23, can contact Rex Carolin at rexcarolin@ Indigenousriders.com or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ indigneousriders. The Run will conclude with a Sunrise Ceremony at Crazy Horse on July 26. >> Submitted by Rita Weatherbee Reprinted with permission from Native Sun News INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL 23 NEWS ANA GRANTEE WORKSHOP HELD AT BUFFALO THUNDER PUEBLO POJOAQUE – Arnell Abold, Fiscal Director and Dianne Amiotte-Seidel, ANA Project Director/Marketing Coordinator attended the 2015 Administration for Native American (ANA) Grantee workshops held at Buffalo Thunder Resort at the Pueblo of Pojoaque Tribe in February 3-5, 2015. The workshop topics were presentations from different grantees that had the opportunity to discuss their grants and if grantees had concerns regarding their grants. The main goal of the workshop is for all the grantees to share their information on their projects (all the grantees were videotaped). There were numerous grantees from all over the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii that had attended and shared their projects. The InterTribal Buffalo Council (ITBC) had a booth set up, which had attracted hundreds of grantees and a lot of good comments regarding ITBC “Incorporating Buffalo Meat into the Tribal Schools.” >> Dianne Amiotte-Seidel RES 2015 The 2015 National RES Conference was held in Las Vegas, NV, March 9-12, 2015. The conference is an annual event held by The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. The 2015 theme was “Honoring Our Past… Defining Our Future.” This conference brings together the American Indian business community to help grow the economy in Indian Country. InterTribal Buffalo Council (ITBC) representatives, Dianne Amiotte-Seidel, ANA Project Director/Marketing Coordinator, and Wanita Vanderwalker, ANA Project Administrative Assistant, attended the RES Conference tradeshow and hosted a booth at the tradeshow. During the two day tradeshow exhibitors from across the country promoted their businesses and had the opportunity to connect with other exhibitors to help benefit their business. ITBC had many visitors to their booth interested in ITBCs efforts to reestablish buffalo to tribal lands and the promotion of healthy eating by incorporating buffalo meat into school lunch programs. Rex Carolin was also present at the tradeshow with two tipis on display. He assisted in the promotion of InterTribal Buffalo Council by handing out brochures and educating exhibit attendees about the importance of buffalo to Native people. >> Wanita Vanderwalker 24 ©BUFFALO TRACKS | Spring 2015 NEWS INDIAN NATIONAL FINALS 2014 InterTribal Buffalo Council (ITBC) proudly helped sponsor the Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR), held in Las Vegas, NV November 4-8, 2014 for the 7th consecutive year. The INFR held its first national competition in 1976 in Salt Lake City, UT. Since then, it has grown to be the largest Indian Rodeo Organization in the world. The rodeo now draws over 350 cowboys and cowgirls from 75 different Tribes and includes competitions not only for adults, but children as well. Rodeo spectators quickly fill the South Point Equestrian Arena, which seats 4,600 people. Cody Carlson, a 11 year old cowboy from Browning, MT qualified to complete in the Jr. bull riding competition. Cody was the smallest and youngest cowboy competing in the Jr. bull riding. His grandfather, Ervin Carlson, is the long-time President of the ITBC Board of Directors. Rodeo fans will be keeping their eye out for this young cowboy for years to come. This year, for the first time, ITBC purchased a vendor booth at the rodeo and sold buffalo jerky and pemmican. Many people were treated to samples of the buffalo meat processed and distributed by ITBC and often commented that they had never had buffalo jerky before. For the entire event, Sylvia Skalisky and Rita Weatherbee, ITBC staff members, manned the booth and handed out pamphlets and information about the organization. The kids seemed to like the jerky products the most and often came back to purchase more. As in years past, ITBC also had their tipi set up for display by Native artist and ITBC associate, Rex Carolin. Rex also helped distribute educational materials about ITBC and talked about the buffalo and Native culture. The colorful ITBC tipi draws a lot of attention and has become a popular photo backdrop for many of the rodeo attendees and participants. >> Rita Weatherbee INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL 25 NEWS BISON BACK EAST Wild buffalo now roam east of the Mississippi for the first time since the 1830s, playing a crucial role in restoring Illinois grasslands. When David Crites walked out of his apartment last month, he was greeted by a line of six or so bison standing shoulder to shoulder in the front yard. He sidled over to his truck, staring at the huge animals, slipped into the front seat, then closed the door and turned on the ignition. As the pickup slowly made its way down the driveway, the bison lumbered alongside. “It was like I was in Yellowstone,” Crites says. But he wasn’t. His temporary job (which includes housing) is to remove trees and install fences in the Nachusa Grasslands of north-central Illinois— where wild bison recently set hooves down for the first time in almost 200 years. The herd of 30 bison is part of an effort by the Nature Conservancy to restore grasslands in the Prairie State, which, perhaps ironically, has lost more than 99 percent of its former grassland. In the late 1980s, conservationists happened to be passing by the Nachusa when they heard the call of an upland sandpiper, a bird that breeds in tallgrass prairies. The Nature Conservancy then began buying farms in the area as they became available, and now it owns a total of 3,500 acres. The group is doing its best to re-create a lost landscape, says Jeff Walk, director of science for the Nature Conservancy’s Illinois chapter. He knows the prairie won’t be exactly the same as yesteryear’s, but he and the rest of the team are trying to get as close a match as possible. To do that, volunteers and seasonal employees like Crites (who spends the rest of his year working in data centers) erect fences, collect and sow seeds, and replicate natural growth cycles with controlled burns. So far, their work has paid off. Even on a winter day when 26 ©BUFFALO TRACKS | Spring 2015 dry brown oak leaves cling to trees, the undulating hills are colored in red, orange, and gray, a mosaic of newly planted big bluestem, Indian grass, and switchgrass. But until October, the landscape had been missing one thing it needs in order to really thrive: grazers. After decades of preparation, genetically pure bison (meaning they don’t have any cattle genes) arrived this fall from a preserve in Iowa. There are a few herds just like them living in reserves across the country, but this group is now the first one east of the Mississippi. So far the experiment is working well. Aside from a roundup every fall, when the bison will get their vaccinations, these wild oxen will roam across 500 acres enclosed by a woven wire fence. Signs hung on the wire warn visitors that the bison are wild. Anyone who hops the fence could suffer the consequences (i.e. a potential horn to the buttocks, or worse, a trampling). Within the enclosure, the bison eat the grasses and avoid the forbs, or flowering plants. This helps promote plant diversity, because without the bison noshing them down, grasses would dominate the prairie, leaving little room for rare species like the prairie violet. The nearly one-ton beasts will also help spread seeds and sculpt the soil with their hooves, something researchers will study on site. “The other thing is poop; they’re very productive,” says Kirk Hallowell, a volunteer steward and my guide for the day. Their pies will fertilize the soil and attract insects, which will (hopefully) bring birds. If all goes well, Nachusa project director Bill Kleiman and ecologist Cody Considine will open up more land to the bison next year. Despite the project’s success, the land will never be what it was 200 years ago. The bison each have an identification chip embedded in them, and seven of them wear GPS collars. They’ll never be able to roam wherever they want, and people will always have to manage fires on the land, raising the question of what is truly wild. “It’s an interesting and important concept, but the answers don’t fit on bumper stickers,” says Kleiman. He argues that the bison are semi-wild, and an important part of our natural heritage. “Everyone loves bison. They’re a national symbol of what we discovered when we came to North America—that wistful longing for wide-open spaces. And they’re a symbol of it right here.” The bison certainly feel wild when Hallowell and I step out of the open-air truck to get a closer look, nothing but knee-high grasses swaying between us. Lying on top of a hill, their shaggy hair blows with each wintery gust. The 1,900-pound bull, fondly nicknamed “Chain Breaker” because he did just that in a corral once, fixes his big brown eye on us. He gets up, hind legs first, and shakes. Other animals stand up, too, and join the viewing party. We get back in the truck. As we start to drive away, I look back and see Chain Breaker, his horned silhouette regal against the gray sky. Looks wild enough, for now. >> Reprinted with permission from the Natural Resources Defense Council NEWS FIRST PEOPLE’S BUFFALO JUMP PROVIDES WINDOW TO NATIVE HISTORY GREAT FALLS – With only a steady wind to ruffle the tall grass on a cool fall day, it’s hard to imagine that for thousands of years First Peoples Buffalo Jump would on occasion hum with a frenzy of human activity. Between March and November, it’s estimated that groups of 75 to 150 bison would be herded off the cliffs of Taft Hill by paleo-Indian and pre-contact native tribes, crashing the huge beasts onto the boulders below where any that survived the plunge were killed with clubs, spears and arrows. “First Peoples Buffalo Jump is one of the oldest, largest and best preserved bison mass procurement cliff jump localities in North America,” a nomination form to list the site as a National Historic Landmark said. “It was a place of peace and a place of gathering,” said Richard Hopkins, manager of First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park, southeast of Great Falls. “They realized they needed all of the help they could get.” It was also a place of great human ingenuity that resulted in what’s estimated to have been the killing of tens of thousands of bison. Doing that wasn’t easy. To stampede the animals off the cliffs the early hunters built a “sophisticated set” of weaving stone walls and cairns about 25 yards apart to funnel bison, Hopkins said. Behind some of the walls, natives would stand waving their arms and flapping hides to direct the bison. Some of the cairns were built up with sticks to look like people and direct the bison along the route. Killing, butchering, cooking and drying of strips of meat on racks would have required many hands to ensure it was collected before spoiling. “Only those animals taken in the first 24 hours were saved, the rest were left in place,” Hopkins said. “That upsets a lot of people who say they didn’t waste anything.” “The entire hunt community, perhaps numbering in the hundreds, needed to process in just a few days scores of tons of meat, fat, bone, and hides,” the nomination form said. “Large chunks of meat, balls of fat, hides, and marrow bone were dragged away for further processing at the base camp. At the main camp some of the meat was roasted or made into stews for immediate consumption, with the great remainder cut into thin strips and air- or smoke-dried on pole racks.” One of the most important things the people collected was grease, Hopkins said. “They needed that fat.” “Another process involved smashing and then boiling in hide-lined pits the marrow-rich leg bones in order to extract bone grease,” the nomination form explained. “Some of the dried meat was pulverized and mixed with bone grease, fat, and berries; the mix was then stored in hide containers. Properly cured and packaged, this nutritious mix (pemmican) could last for months and even years.” The buffalo jump was a well-known site because of its perfect geography, a horseshoe-shaped butte gradually rising about 450 feet above the Sun River to the north and overlooking the Missouri River to the south. “Thirteen different tribes have oral histories of using this place,” Hopkins said. “The oldest is the Shoshone-Bannock and the Nez Perce.” The Flathead Indians named the Blackfoot River corridor the road to the buffalo, since that’s the route they took from Western Montana over the Continental Divide to the plains near the head of the nearby Dearborn River. “We think it was used 6,000 years before present,” Hopkins said. Use of the site probably stopped in the early 1700s after horses arrived from the south, historians speculate, forever changing the Plains Indian culture. Hopkins said tribal members refer to the times before horses arrived as the dog days, “Because if you didn’t have dogs, you were packing everything you owned.” Dogs were used to pull travois loaded with necessary living items like a small teepee, made of only three to four hides and weighing about 30 to 40 pounds. “A family of four to six would sleep in one teepee,” Hopkins said. In 1972 the state park was first established when Montana purchased 50 acres on top of the jump. Prior to that, in the 1940s, a portion of the bison kill site was mined for bone used to make fertilizer. Since the park was founded, thanks to support from its foundation, the state and others, the First Peoples Buffalo Jump has grown to 2,000 acres. “We’d like to acquire more land to the west and on top to include other drivelines not disturbed,” Hopkins said. “People think we should also have a small herd of bison here. The public always wonders where the bison are.” A well thought-out visitor center at the base of the jump relates the story of the importance of bison to tribal people over thousands of years. A trail provides access to the top of the butte where on a clear day visitors can see five surrounding mountain ranges. Perhaps the historic landmark nomination form states the importance of the site best: “Its monumental record of stone surface architecture, deeply stratified bison bone deposits, multiple tipi ring concentrations, and evidence of ceremonialism indicate that, over 5,700 years, First Peoples Buffalo Jump held the paramount position in the Northern Plains ‘bison culture.’ ” >> Reprinted with permission from the Billings Gazette written by Brett French INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL 27 NEWS THE MIGHTY BISON RETURNS TO CHEROKEE NATION ICTMN Staff 10/7/14 It has been 40 years since bison roamed Cherokee Nation land, but that is about to change. This week the tribe will get a herd from Badlands National Park in South Dakota, according to a media release from the tribe, with another 10 coming mid-month from Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. The tribe also may acquire a small herd of Yellowstone bison. “Our tribe is thankful to the InterTribal Buffalo Council (ITBC), who opted to place some of the excess bison from the Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt National Park in our care. It is a unique opportunity to reunite our people with a prominent part of our past,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker in a statement. “Typically associated with plainsbased tribes, the American bison also played a critical role for the Cherokee prior to colonization. Hundreds of years ago when bison roamed east of the Mississippi, the Cherokee people survived, in part, by using bison as a vital food source. Today, there is a nationwide resurgence by tribes, including the Cherokee Nation, to reconnect with these animals.” The Cherokee Nation joined the InterTribal Buffalo Council last December, with an eye toward having the animals reintroduced on their lands. The 1970s is the last time that bison were raised by the Cherokee Nation, the media release said, and the tribe did so for tourism reasons. The InterTribal Buffalo Council is based in Rapid City, South Dakota, and annually awards surplus bison from national parks each year to member tribes. 28 ©BUFFALO TRACKS | Spring 2015 The Badlands National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Parks each have about 400 head of surplus bison annually, the Cherokee news release said. “It will be a special moment when the animals arrive at the Cherokee Nation and one that ITBC is proud to have played a role in. ITBC’s mission is to restore buffalo to tribal lands, and this is a major accomplishment for the Nation and ITBC to share in,” Buffalo Council executive director Jim Stone said in the statement. The tribe is devoting 1,000 of its 22,000 acres of tribally owned land in northeastern Oklahoma to the bison. The bison transfer has been in the works for several years, and tribal leaders were exultant. “The Cherokee Nation had been in contact with the National Bison Association for a number of years, but really gained the traction needed to acquire these special breed of animals in just the past two years,” said Cherokee Nation natural resources director Gunter Gulager. “The Cherokee Nation administration and our Tribal Council really came together so that bison can again be an avenue for tourism or source of lean protein in our schools and restaurants.” >> Reprinted with permission from Indian Country Today BUFFALO NEWS INTERTRIBAL HEALTH BUFFALO HEALTH TRACKS COUNCIL 58 TRIBES PROUDLY SERVING THE BUFFALO NATION IN 19 STATES BUFFALO BF UFFAFA LO LO U BTRACKS TR S CCKKS TRAA Yes! I want to be in the next issue of BUFFALO TRACKS RTRIBAL INTE INTERTRIBAL ALO BUFF BUFFALO INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO UNCIL COCOUNCIL Name/Company____________________________________ sPr In G 2013 G 2013 COsPr UNInCI L Tes 58 Tribe s Proudl y s er ving The buff oal noa Tio in 19 n an Tion in 19sTasTa Tes 58 Tribe s Proudls er ving The buff al sPr In G 2013 y s er ving The udl y buff al o n a Tion 58 Tribe s Pro in 19 sTa Tes Address___________________________________________ s Id E In Ins Id E Phone_____________________________________________ ........ 3 .................................... ident’s nnotes Pres President’s .......43 otes ............................................ or’s Message ......... tive ddirect eexecu xecutive irector’s Message ................4 4, Tech service n ....4 ......... rr egio ......... ......... egion 4, Tech spects aservice Presi dent’ ketin s ngotes & ............ 63 ............ & Mar Marketing a spects ............................... ............ ................. ........4 keting Training eegio xecuntive 1 Mar d irecto r’sTraining 74 Mess rrregion Marketing age ................. .............. ............ ......... ....6 ......... egion1ake ......... ......... 4, Tech air service itll ake ffair.................................................. spir 8 .......7 spirit ......... & Mark rest eting inte a spect s of s ........................ item Tribe&&items .......48 iowa Tribe of interest riowa egion ews .......8 n n................ 1 Marketing vatioing r eser Train ock r ............ ing ..... 6 tand ......... s standing r eservation spiri n ews 89 ................ t l aker ock ......... fatio ......... air ............ ews n ............ n ............ .............. 79 niedan nation n ews .................................... o onieda iowa 9 Tribe & itemews ................................ inter est................8 n ation n s of......... Crow n n ews ......................................... sCrow 9 bison tandi ngation ican r ock eserv of ar mer ation......... ........810 Museum ................ of Plai a merican bisonn ews .................. oMuseum nieda reat ation gn nns ewsads ............ & g&reat the Plains ............................................ ............ 10 in ............9 11 ailro of the rews Crow r ole nofation ................. r ole the er nailroads ......... in............ the ......... ............ alo.. .................9 of buff Muse d emis um ofof ......12 a meric d emise buffalo..................................... an bison ...........................11 e .................. & g reat u pdat............ Plain a pril ........................ a pril u pdates................................................... 12...14 ......... ........ .........10 alo r ole buff of theition of se u r al ds in the Trad ailroa . 15 u se of buffalo ......... ..................... 14 dTraditional emis ......... e of buffa lin Caro ............ of r ex slo....... ..................11 a dventure a dventures .........16 a pril of r ex Carolin ................... u pdate ............ ..................15 ......... ............ es ......... ............ ...............12 18 r ecip buffralo ....... buffalo Trad ............................................. 16 itiona .................. l ecipes u se of ......... ......... buffa alo lo ............ buff & .........14 ....19 h ealth h ealth a dven & buffalo ........................................... 18 tures ........................... of r ex Caro ......... lin......... ............ g ......... ....... 15 shoppin shopping buffa .......................................................... 19 lo r ecipe s .................................... .........16 h ealth & buffalo ........................................... 18 On shopping ........................ A Ir n 19 ............ An.......... sh............ TA Jefferson, TAsh Ann IranOn Trum ghter ofA old granddauof Truman d of Directors year f our year old cil Boar granddaughter Jefferson, f our al Buffalo Coun In s Id E Email_____________________________________________ To make publishing deadline, please submit by: _________________________________________________ Send payment to: Trib Council Board of y of InterBuffalo Secretary ofetar InterTribal Directors Secr TA sh An n Aook Ire Beauty” © 2012 year old granddaug On saal hter of“Ap Secretary of InterT Truman Beauty” © 2012 a n . h aight Erik er - rson, ribal Buffalo“Apsaalooke aphJeffe Coun Pho cil togr Board of Direc wow graphy.com Pow Powwow Photographer - Erika n .tors hhoto aight ahaightp www.erik www.erikahaightphotography.com f our “Apsaalooke Beau ty” © 2012 Powwow Photogra pher - Erika n . h aight www.erikahaight photographFF AL O.c y.com Bc BU w .IT www ww .ITBc BUFFALO.c Om ww w .IT Bc BU FFA LO .c Om FULL PAGE $1000 FULL PAGE 7.5W X 10H InterTribal Buffalo Council 2497 W Chicago Street | Rapid City, SD 57702 Om AD PRICES HALF PAGE $500 AD SIZES HALF PAGE 7.5W X 5H QUARTER PAGE $250 QUARTER PAGE 3.75W X 4.875H AD FORMATS ACCEPTED High Resolution JPG, TIFF or PDF Please no Word or Publisher files. Convert to one of the above formats before submitting. Please email files to: Dianne Amiotte <<damiotte@itbcbison.com>> WWW.ITBCBUFFALO.COM INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL 29 NEWS FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM VISITS On March 26, 2015, Dianne Amiotte-Seidel, InterTribal Buffalo Council Project Director/Marketing Coordinator, and Wanita Vanderwalker, Administrative Assistant visited two schools on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. The purpose of the visits was to introduce the Farm to School Program in which the InterTribal Buffalo Council’s goal is to incorporate buffalo meat on the school lunch menu and introduce fresh produce. The first stop was the Sitting Bull School. This school is located in Little Eagle, South Dakota on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. There was a positive energy when they met with Anne Larson, Food Service Director; Lana Utter, Administrative Assistant; Beverly Bowker, Kindergarten teacher; Mike Faith, Standing Rock Buffalo Manager; and Wesley Vossler, Standing Rock Buffalo Ranch. Dianne presented the goal of the Farm to School Program which is to put healthy buffalo meat into the reservation school lunch programs and introduce students to fresh produce. Mike Faith explained how the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe would assist with providing the buffalo for the school. Anne and Lana were very excited about the project. Plans were set forth to have a taste test at the school and Anne Larson will present a policy to the school board in order for the Tribe to donate the buffalo meat to the school. The second stop of the day led them to Rock Creek Grant School. This school is located in Bullhead, South Dakota which is also on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. They met with Rock Creek Grant School personnel, Clyde Neesz, Principal, and Jimmie High Cat, Cook. Mike Faith and 30 ©BUFFALO TRACKS | Spring 2015 Wesley Vossler also joined us. Dianne explained the program goal of the Farm to School Program. Principal Neesz informed them of the community raised garden project which could tie into this program. Mike Faith explained how the Tribe could assist with donating the buffalo to be used for the lunch program. Jimmie High Cat, cook, informed them of cooking projects he does with the students. He was very enthusiastic about introducing buffalo meat into their lunch program. Even though these children have been introduced to buffalo meat outside of school, High Cat believes it will be welcomed by the students for their school lunch. Rock Creek Grant School plans to do a taste test also and work on policy in order for the Tribe to donate the buffalo to them. The schools’ enthusiasm and excitement about introducing a healthy staple, buffalo meat, into their lunch programs is very encouraging to better the health of Native American children. On April 7, 2015, Dianne and Wanita made two more school visits. They traveled to the Rosebud Sioux Reservation to visit the Todd County School District in Mission, SD and then to St. Francis Indian School in St. Francis, SD. Todd County School District consists of twelve schools: Todd County High School, Todd County Middle School, Todd County Elementary, Rosebud Elementary, He Dog School, Klein Elementary, Lakeview Elementary, Littleburg Elementary, O’Kreek Elementary, Resource Center, Spring Creek Elementary, and Wanbli Wiconi Tipi. At the Todd County School Administrative Office, Dianne explained the two grant programs; the Farm to School Program and the ANA Grant Program. An information packet was given to all those present which included Dr. Roger Bordeaux, Superintendent; Robyn Pyner, Food Service Coordinator; and Wesley Plank, Rosebud Sioux Tribe Buffalo Herd Manager. The Farm to School Program goal is to incorporate healthy eating in school lunches by adding healthy buffalo meat and introducing fresh produce. InterTribal Buffalo Council provides the buffalo meat for a school taste testing. If the taste testing is successful then the continued on next page SCHOOLS Farm to School Program Visits continued school can coordinate with the Tribe to purchase buffalo meat for the school year. Discussion was held on different ways to serve buffalo meat and required labeling of the meat. School gardens were discussed and perhaps the smaller schools would be able to start gardens. A new Farm to School Grant application was given to Dr. Bordeaux. The next stop was at the St. Francis Indian School. They met with Mr. Richard Bad Milk, Superintendent; Thetis McCloskey, Food Service Director; Wesley Plank, Rosebud Sioux Tribe Buffalo Herd Manager; and Wayne Fredrick, Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council. St Francis Indian School participated in the second year of the ANA Grant. Dianne discussed the Farm to School Grant and how it could help start a garden project to introduce fresh produce into the lunch program. A taste test will be held at St Francis Indian School with InterTribal Buffalo Council supplying the buffalo meat. The new Farm to School Grant application was given to Mr. Bad Milk. The school and the Tribe will coordinate for buffalo meat supply for the next school year. NORTHERN ARAPAHOE TRIBE, FREMONT COUNTY SCHOOL #38 Many of the comments about the Buffalo chili lunch were of surprise. Many students and staff had not tasted buffalo before and were pleasantly surprised they liked Buffalo chili. I am sure students and staff are looking forward to having another meal involving buffalo. Hohou (Thank you), >> Cheri LeBeau It is good to see the schools’ interest to introduce buffalo meat into the school lunch programs and the interest in gardens. The benefits of these programs will help the children with health as well as learning how to grow healthy food. FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT FOLLOW UP The Crazy Horse School, Wanblee, SD has completed the buffalo meat taste test with their students. Ron “Beef” Randall, head cook, stated they served meatloaf and burgers. Students were told up front that buffalo meat was being served. He stated that the younger students liked the meal, but the older students did not care for it. Serving buffalo meat at least once a week to keep the younger generation interested is what “Beef” would like to see for Crazy Horse School. >> Wanita Vanderwalker INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL 31 SCHOOLS HOW IS THE NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM WORKING IN INDIAN COUNTRY? New guidelines for the National School Lunch Program are aimed at providing the nation’s children with healthy, ageappropriate meals in an effort to reduce childhood obesity and improve the overall well-being of kids, especially poor kids, across the country. The program was administered by the states, which were required to match federal dollars. Nutritional standards were set by the federal government, and states were required to provide free and reduced priced lunches to children who could not pay. A MATTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY CHILDHOOD OBESITY EPIDEMIC The federal government established the school lunch program in the early 1930s to try to prevent widespread childhood malnutrition during the Depression and to support struggling farmers by having the federal government buy up surplus commodity foods. By 1942, 454 million pounds of surplus food was distrusted to 93,000 schools for lunch programs that benefited 6 million children. Fast-forward half a century. By 2009, the Department of Defense reported that more recruits were being rejected Childhood obesity, reports the Centers for Disease Control, has more than doubled in children (to 18 percent) and quadrupled in adolescents (to 21 percent) in the past 30 years. In 2012, more than 30 percent of American children and adolescents were overweight or obese. These children are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem, But when the U.S. joined World War II, the U.S. Armed Forces needed all of the surplus food U.S. farmers were producing. By April 1944, only 34,064 schools were participating in the school lunch program and the number of children being served had dropped to 5 million. In the spring of 1945, Gen. Lewis B. Hershey, a former school principal, told the House Agriculture Committee that as many as 40 percent of rejected draftees had been turned away owing to poor diets. “Whether we are going to have war or not, I do think that we have got to have health if we are going to survive,” he testified. Within a year, Congress passed legislation to appropriate money to support the program on a year-by-year basis and by April 1946, the program had expanded to include 45,119 schools and 6.7 million children. In 1946, Congress established a permanent National School Lunch Program (NSLP). IN the legislation, adequate child nutrition was explicitly recognized as a nation security priority. 32 ©BUFFALO TRACKS | Spring 2015 for obesity than for any other medical reason. This was around the same time that First Lady Michelle Obama was taking on childhood obesity as a national health crisis. according to the CDC. By 2030, 50 percent of Americans are predicted to be obese, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. In the American Indian community, the SCHOOLS rate of obesity is even higher. In 2010, the Indian Health Service reported that 80 percent of American Indian/Alaska Native adults and about 50 percent of AI/ AN children were overweight or obese. Obese and overweight children have access to too many cheap calories with too little nutritional value, leading to the paradox of malnourished overweight children. Poor nutrition, often in the form of too much sugar and other simple carbohydrates, can lead to diabetes, which is rife in AI/AN communities. HEALTHY, HUNGER-FREE KIDS ACT Michelle Obama’s child health initiative included her “Let’s Move!” exercise campaign, the first-ever task force on child obesity and her backing for the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which passed Congress with bipartisan support in 2010. The act set new standards, which went into effect in early 2012, for school lunches. These include reduced calories, reduced sugar and reduced sodium combined with increased fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. In some cases, schools’ inability to prepare nutritionally adequate, attractive, kidfriendly meals under the new guidelines has led them to drop out of the NSLP altogether. Despite the fact that as of September 2013, only 524 out of 100,000 schools participating in the NSLP, or one half of one percent had dropped out, news coverage has been extensive, complete with photos of unappetizing meals, accounts of student protests and a good deal of criticism of Michelle Obama, who as the point person for the healthy school lunch initiative, is an obvious target. POOR CHILDREN NEED SCHOOL LUNCHES But the schools dropping out of the program are mostly schools with few students who qualify for free and reducedprice school lunches. The federal government mandates that schools participating in the NSLP provide free lunches for children from families whose income are 130 percent of the poverty level or less. That is, if the poverty level for a family of four is $24,000 per year, then children from families of four whose income is under about $31,200 per year are eligible for free lunches. Reduced-price lunches must be provided for children from families with incomes between 130 percent and 185 percent of the poverty level. So if the poverty level is $24,000 for a family of four, children from families of four earning between $31,200 and $44,400 are eligible for reduced priced lunches. Reduced price lunches may cost no more than $0.40. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 68 percent of AI/AN students are eligible for free and reduced-price school lunches, compared with only 28 percent of white student. USDA data indicate that 70 percent of children receiving free lunches through the NSLP are children of color, as are 50 percent of student receiving reduced-price lunches. The very public criticism of the new guidelines poses a threat to AI/AN and other children of color, as well as poor children in general. If the loudest voices cause the federal government to back down on the nutrition standards, the children who will be most affected are those who rely on school breakfasts, lunches, snacks and summer food programs for a significant portion of their nutrition—that is, poor children, the ones receiving free and reduced-price lunches, as do more than two-thirds of AI/AN children in public and non-profit private schools. INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL 33 SCHOOLS SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAMS IN INDIAN COUNTRY Not everyone is having trouble meeting the new guidelines. Joe Rice (Choctaw), executive director of the Nawayee Center School in Minneapolis, says his school started serving healthier meals to its 55 American Indian high schoolers long before the new guidelines went into effect. “We’re sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Education so we have a licensed food and nutrition service that allows us instead of buying food from the local district to buy through a caterer who serves healthier food in line with our diabetes initiative. The fresh food from our garden and the healthier food from the caterer mean that we’re addressing one of the two modifiable risk factors for diabetes, which is diet. We’re getting away from sugar and saturated fat and more into healthy whole foods.” And that’s having an impact. The school screens the kids every year and those who have been with the program for a while “typically have better blood glucose levels, and they report exercising eating more healthy foods throughout the week. We also see healthier BMIs for kids who have been in the program longer. Overall, we get good health results.” The garden is a kid-centered endeavor. The students designed and built the garden and decide what crops to grow. The garden, says Rice, is “reconnecting kids to the earth. I remember the first time we had some stuff from the garden, the kids refused to eat it because it came out of the ground.” It also serves as a means of teaching biology, botany, math and language. “We found that gardening could be the starting point for a very rich curriculum and for cultural preservation revitalization.” The STAR School just outside Flagstaff, Arizona, serves about 120 Navajo students in grades pre-K through 8. There, too, gardening is a key component of the 34 ©BUFFALO TRACKS | Spring 2015 nutrition program, although until the school can get its gardens and food safety practices certified by the government, garden produce is used only for cooking classes and community events. Louva Montour (Diné) is food services manager. She says the school has had no trouble meeting the new guidelines. STAR School has its own garden and greenhouses, and students also work on a Navajo farm about 20 miles from the school, where they help with planting, watering, weeding and harvesting. “It really helps that they get hands-on experience working with food, from planting, even preparing the soil, composting (Our kids know a lot about composting!), the whole cycle,” says Montour. Montour gives an example of the value of having kids grow the food they are going to eat: “We’re on our third year now using our salad bar. When we started putting out different types of vegetables, like beets, the student didn’t really know what beets were and they weren’t really trying it. But then they grew some in our greenhouse. Once they harvested them— those things are really big, about half a pound!—kids were saying ‘What is it?’ and “I want to eat it.’ They cleaned it and then we just cut it up right there because they wanted to eat it right there. And we let them because that’s the time for them to try it, when they’re willing.” Beets have become a salad bar favorite, she says, as have other unlikely vegetables such as kale. Even though the school cannot yet use produce from its own gardens or those of local Navajo farmers, they are able to get local and organic produce through their regular food distributor who works with local producers. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES INDIAN COUNTRY IN Dianne Amiotte-Seidel, Oglala Sioux, project director/marketing coordinator for an ANA grant awarded to the InterTribal Buffalo Council in South Dakota, which is a coalition of 58 tribes committed to reestablishing buffalo herds on Indian lands in a manner that promotes cultural enhancement, spiritual revitalization, ecological restoration, and economic development. Amiotte-Seidel has already more than met the grant’s requirement that she introduce bison meat, which is much healthier for kids than beef, into eight school lunch programs, but it hasn’t been easy. “You can’t just put buffalo meat in the schools. You have a lot of different steps to take and each state is different,” she says. In order for a school to serve bison, “a tribe has to have enough buffalo to supply the school for one meal a week or a month, or whatever, and then they have to have a USDA plant nearby. They have to be willing to sell the buffalo meat to the school for the price of beef and they have to able to have a supplier from USDA plant take the meat to the school. The meat needs to bear a child nutrition label. The school has to be able to have a supply area big enough store the bison meat they need for the year, since tribes usually only do their harvest once a year.” Amiotte-Seidel adds, “The biggest obstacles is the requirement to have USDA-certified slaughtering plants, because on the reservations that I’m dealing with, let’s use Lower Brule, for example. Lower Brule is four or five hours away from a certified USDA plant. They have to haul buffalo four to five hours to have USDA certify the meat for the school.” This is one area where perhaps guidelines should be modified to better fit the unique circumstances in Indian Country and other areas where they present such a burden so severe that the NSLP fails to meet its original goal—feeding poor children—as well as it could. >> Reprinted with permission from Indian Country Today. SCHOOLS RED CLOUD STUDENTS TAKE PART IN CEREMONIAL BUFFALO KILL It was just as he remembered in his dream; a vision the night before. A large male buffalo stood on a ridge near Slim Buttes, just north of the Red Cloud Indian School campus. Steam rose from the shaggy animal’s nostrils in the quiet, frosty-blue luster of early morning on the reservation. Vance Blacksmith stood watching the animal as the sun rose behind it. For a few moments everything was still and quiet. Blacksmith then motioned to Bailey and Chris to ready their rifles. The two high school students had accompanied him and other staff to the pasture. They got into position and took aim. A few weeks earlier, the two had asked the school’s administrators to help them bring back the school’s annual Buffalo Kill after a two year hiatus. And, they explained to their principals that, as part of their Faith & Justice class, they would use the opportunity as a service project to educate their fellow classmates on the historical and gastronomical connections between Tȟatȟάŋka (the buffalo) and the Lakota people. For many students, this may have been the first time they have been able to witness the sacred act, which had traditionally provided food, clothing and shelter to their ancestors for millennia. “When I was a freshman we did this and I really liked it—thought is was really cool,” said Bailey. “I’ve always been a hunter, so I wanted to help do this for the school and get back into the culture.” “There are always kids doing recycling, and don’t get me wrong, it’s a great thing,” Bailey continues, referring to other student’s service projects. “But this—this is more for us, as Native people.” Two hours later, Blacksmith and his crew unloaded the massive, 1,000-pound animal from the back of a truck bed with the help of a Bobcat. Students from across campus began to walk over to the bus garages where they were told they would witness the ceremonial harvesting of Tȟatȟάŋka. As they approached, the elementary students whispered and gently wiggled between their peers to get a closer look at the sacred animal that lay before them. “Students want more cultural activities and events,” says Blacksmith, activities coordinator for Red Cloud’s Lakota Language Program. “This a step in the right direction; to incorporate more Lakota cultural and language activities into the student’s education. It gives the kids a hands on experience to supplement the classroom lessons on language and culture.” Red Cloud Indian School is a multifaceted, nonprofit educational organization and K-12 school system celebrating 126 years of education in the Catholic & Lakȟóta traditions on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. www. RedCloudSchool.org INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL 35 SCHOOLS NEW POLL SHOWS STRONG SUPPORT FOR BISON RESTORATION IN MONTANA HELENA, MONT. – A strong majority of Montana residents support efforts to restore wild bison populations in the state and oppose legislative efforts to impede wild bison restoration, according to a new poll (http://www.defenders.org/ publications/Defenders-of-WildlifeMontana-Bison-Poll-Public-Memo-1-15. pdf) conducted by Tulchin Research. The poll results arrive just as some politicians in the Montana Legislature roll out aggressive anti-bison bills that, if passed, would severely curtail current and future bison restoration and management efforts. The poll, conducted in late December for Defenders of Wildlife, shows that efforts to restore wild bison populations in the state find strong, broad-based support: Nearly eight in ten Montana voters support restoring wild bison populations on public lands (76% support) and tribal lands (78% support). 36 ©BUFFALO TRACKS | Spring 2015 Seventy-two (72%) percent want wild bison managed like wildlife, not livestock. Seventy-four (74%) percent think decisions about wild bison should be made by biologists and wildlife officials rather than county politicians. Two-thirds of voters (67%) say they support efforts to relocate disease-free bison from Yellowstone National Park to start herds in other parts of the state. The poll also shows that the majority of residents are opposed legislative proposals aimed at reducing Montana’s bison population or restricting restoration efforts: Voters overwhelmingly reject proposals to reclassify all wild bison as livestock (76% opposed, including 51% strongly opposed). Voters overwhelmingly reject proposals to prohibit the establishment of any wild bison in the state (63% opposed). Voters oppose allowing private landowners to shoot bison that enter onto private land (60% opposed). Voters oppose establishing a year-round hunting season for bison (59% opposed). Jonathan Proctor, Defenders’ Rockies and Plains Program Director, issued the following statement: “Montana is bison country, and this poll reflects Montanans’ pride in the state’s wild bison legacy, past, present and future. Montanans clearly don’t want politicians destroying that legacy with legislative proposals to impede bison restoration. Public support for bison restoration in Montana is strong, and Montana’s leaders should recognize and respect that.” >> Permission for reprint from Melanie Gade HEALTH SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT HEALTH BENEFITS OF GRASSFED MEATS, EGGS AND DAIRY Lower in Fat and Calories. There are a number of nutritional differences between the meat of pasture-raised and feedlotraised animals. To begin with, meat from grass-fed cattle, sheep, and bison is lower in total fat. If the meat is very lean, it can have one third as much fat as a similar cut from a grain-fed animal. In fact, as you can see by the graph below, grass-fed beef can have the same amount of fat as skinless chicken breast, wild deer, or elk.[1] Research shows that lean beef actually lowers your “bad” LDL cholesterol levels.[2] vital role in every cell and system in your body. For example, of all the fats, they are the most heart-friendly. People who have ample amounts of omega-3s in their diet are less likely to have high blood pressure or an irregular heartbeat. Remarkably, they are 50 percent less likely to suffer a heart attack.[3] Omega-3s are essential for your brain as well. People with a diet rich in omega-3s are less likely to suffer from depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder (hyperactivity), or Alzheimer’s disease.[4] Another benefit of omega-3s is that they may reduce your risk of cancer. In animal studies, these essential fats have slowed the growth of a wide array of cancers and also kept them from spreading.[5] Although the human research is in its infancy, researchers have shown that omega-3s can slow or even reverse the extreme weight loss that accompanies advanced cancer and also hasten recovery from surgery.[6,7] Data from J. Animal Sci 80(5):1202-11. Because meat from grass-fed animals is lower in fat than meat from grain-fed animals, it is also lower in calories. (Fat has 9 calories per gram, compared with only 4 calories for protein and carbohydrates. The greater the fat content, the greater the number of calories.) As an example, a 6-ounce steak from a grass-finished steer can have 100 fewer calories than a 6-ounce steak from a grain-fed steer. If you eat a typical amount of beef (66.5 pounds a year), switching to lean grassfed beef will save you 17,733 calories a year—without requiring any willpower or change in your eating habits. If everything else in your diet remains constant, you’ll lose about six pounds a year. If all Americans switched to grassfed meat, our national epidemic of obesity might diminish. In the past few years, producers of grass-fed beef have been looking for ways to increase the amount of marbling in the meat so that consumers will have a more familiar product. But even these fatter cuts of grass-fed beef are lower in fat and calories than beef from grain-fed cattle. Extra Omega-3s. Meat from grass-fed animals has two to four times more omega-3 fatty acids than meat from grain- fed animals. Omega-3s are called “good fats” because they play a Omega-3s are most abundant in seafood and certain nuts and seeds such as flaxseeds and walnuts, but they are also found in animals raised on pasture. The reason is simple. Omega-3s are formed in the chloroplasts of green leaves and algae. Sixty percent of the fatty acids in grass are omega-3s. When cattle are taken off omega-3 rich grass and shipped to a feedlot to be fattened on omega-3 poor grain, they begin losing their store of this beneficial fat. Each day that an animal spends in the feedlot, its supply of omega-3s is diminished.[8] The graph below illustrates this steady decline. Data from: J Animal Sci (1993) 71(8):2079-88. When chickens are housed indoors and deprived of greens, their meat and eggs also become artificially low in omega-3s. Eggs from pastured hens can contain as much as 10 times more omega-3s than eggs from factory hens.[9] INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL 37 HEALTH It has been estimated that only 40 percent of Americans consume an adequate supply of omega-3 fatty acids. Twenty percent have blood levels so low that they cannot be detected. [10] Switching to the meat, milk, and dairy products of grass-fed animals is one way to restore this vital nutrient to your diet. The CLA Bonus. Meat and dairy products from grass-fed ruminants are the richest known source of another type of good fat called “conjugated linoleic acid” or CLA. When ruminants are raised on fresh pasture alone, their products contain from three to five times more CLA than products from animals fed conventional diets.[11] (A steak from the most marbled grassfed animals will have the most CLA ,as much of the CLA is stored in fat cells.) CLA may be one of our most potent defenses against cancer. In laboratory animals, a very small percentage of CLA—a mere 0.1 percent of total calories—greatly reduced tumor growth. [12] There is new evidence that CLA may also reduce cancer risk in humans. In a Finnish study, women who had the highest levels of CLA in their diet, had a 60 percent lower risk of breast cancer than those with the lowest levels. Switching from grainfed to grassfed meat and dairy products places women in this lowest risk category.13 Researcher Tilak Dhiman from Utah State University estimates that you may be able to lower your risk of cancer simply by eating the following grassfed products each day: one glass of whole milk, one ounce of cheese, and one serving of meat. You would have to eat five times that amount of grain-fed meat and dairy products to get the same level of protection. Vitamin E. In addition to being higher in omega-3s and CLA, meat from grassfed animals is also higher in vitamin E. The graph below shows vitamin E levels in meat from: 1) feedlot cattle, 2) feedlot cattle given high doses of synthetic vitamin E (1,000 IU per day), and 3) cattle raised on fresh pasture with no added supplements. The meat from the pastured cattle is four times higher in vitamin E than the meat from the feedlot cattle and, interestingly, almost twice as high as the meat from the feedlot cattle given vitamin E supplements. [14#] In humans, vitamin E is linked with a lower risk of heart disease and cancer. This potent antioxidant may also have anti-aging properties. Most Americans are deficient in vitamin E. Data from: J Animal Sci (1993) 71(8):2079-88. \Data from: Smith, G.C. “Dietary supplementation of vitamin E to cattle to improve shelf life and case life of beef for domestic and international markets.” Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1171 >> Reprinted with permission from Jo Robinson and Eatwild.com COOKING WITH BUFFALO A cookbook produced by InterTribal Buffalo Council $5.00 plus shipping Send payment to: InterTribal Buffalo Council 2497 W Chicago Street | Rapid City, SD 57702 38 ©BUFFALO TRACKS | Spring 2015 BUFFALO INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO MEAT COUNCIL 58 TRIBES PROUDLY SERVING THE BUFFALO NATION IN 19 STATES Product Buffalo Jerky Peppered Buffalo Jerky Size (oz.) Wholesale Price 1 1 1 Wholesale Price 2 Retail Price $1.90 $1.90 $3.00 $3.00 $2.00 $2.00 Wholesale Price 1: Minimum order of 100 packages which can be mixture of products. Wholesale Price 2: Minimum order of 400 packages which can be mixture of products. Tribal entities also are entitled to this price. Shipping costs are in additional to above pricing. Typical shipping cost are $.14 - $.25 per package. Product Buffalo Chub Burger Chub Stew Meat Size (lbs.) Wholesale Price 1 1 5 5 Wholesale Price 2 Retail Price $7.20 $36.00 $36.00 $8.00 $40.00 $40.00 $7.80 $39.00 $39.00 Wholesale Price 1: Minimum order of 50lbs which can be mixture of products. Wholesale Price 2: Minimum order of 100lbs which can be mixture of products. Tribal entities also are entitled to this price. Shipping costs are in additional to above pricing. We will determine shipping cost after order. We currently are only offering retail pricing. YUM! I want to order buffalo meat! Call us to place your order: InterTribal Council Intertribal Buffalo Bison Council 605.394.9730 2497 W Chicago Street | Rapid City, South Dakota 57702 WWW.ITBCBUFFALO.COM INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL 39 HEALTH DIABETES DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTS AMERICAN INDIANS AND ALASKA NATIVES Today, diabetes affects more than 29 million people in the United States or over 9 percent of the population. In addition, another 86 million American adults, more than one out of three individuals, have pre-diabetes, a condition that puts people at increased risk for diabetes. In fact, these statistics include many groups of American Indians and Alaska Natives. According to the Indian Health Service, almost 16 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives have diabetes. Among them, diabetes varies considerably in various regions, from 6 percent among Alaska Natives, to 24 percent among American Indians in Southern Arizona. All people with diabetes, both type 1 and type 2, are at risk for diabetic eye disease, a leading cause of vision loss and blindness. Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye problems that people with diabetes may face as a complication of the disease and includes cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. Diabetic retinopathy, the most common diabetic eye disease, is the leading cause of blindness in adults 20-74 years of age. 40 ©BUFFALO TRACKS | Spring 2015 “The longer a person has diabetes, the greater is his or her risk of developing diabetic eye disease,” said Paul A. Sieving, M.D., Ph.D., director of the National Eye Institute (NEI). “If you have diabetes, be sure to have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. Don’t wait until you notice an eye problem to have an exam, because vision that is lost often cannot be restored.” Diabetic eye disease often has no early warning signs, but it can be detected early and treated before vision loss occurs. If you have diabetes in your family, you can leave a legacy of healthy vision by taking steps to prevent vision loss—get a comprehensive dilated eye exam. “In fact, with early detection, timely treatment, and appropriate follow-up care, people with advanced diabetic retinopathy can reduce their risk of blindness by 95 percent,” adds Suber Huang, M.D., M.B.A., chair of the Diabetic Eye Disease Subcommittee for NEI’s National Eye Health Education Program. Research has shown that when people with diabetes maintain good control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol, they can slow the development and progression of diabetic eye disease. In addition to having a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year, people with diabetes should do the following to keep their health on TRACK: • Take your medications. • Reach and maintain a healthy weight. •Add physical activity to your daily routine. •Control your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. • Kick the smoking habit. If you have diabetes, set your sight on healthy vision. Schedule a comprehensive dilated eye exam. For more information on diabetic eye disease and tips on finding an eye care professional or financial assistance for eye care, visit www.nei.nih.gov/diabetes or call NEI at 301-496-5248. RECIPES ____ ____ SANTE F ____ ____ DeLliOcioRuEsCIPES BUFFA ____ ____ Makes a ½ table bout 10 cups spoon o 1 pound il, cano la ½ teasp bison stew me or vegetable at, cube oon bla ½ teasp ck pepp d 1/2” p o er ieces 1 large on salt yellow onion, d 2 clove s i 1 jalape garlic, minced ced no pepp 1 chipo er, dice tle d 1 red be pepper, dice d ll pepp er, dice 1-quart d lo 2-(15 oz w sodium be ef broth ) cans b 2 cups lack be fr a ½ teasp esh corn or fr ns, drained a nd rins ozen co oon dri ed rn Salt & p e epper t d oregano o taste 1. In a la r Add bis ge stockpot, h eat oil o on stew until th v e meat meat and co er medium he ok 10-1 at. pot. Ad is brow 2 d n minute onion, pepp ed. Remove m minutes, s. e ingredie Return meat t rs, and garlic eat from o n coo pot and t s . 2. Bring add rem k 3-5 to a boil aining , then c over an d reduc e heat t o E SOUP Credit and permission for these recipes are from the North American Bison Cooperative, Brandi Conrad, 1909 Great Northern Drive, Fargo, ND 5810 2 tsp brown sugar, packed 1-2 lbs bison strip loin steaks, trimmed 1 pkg lettuce, spring mix or your favorite salad mix Salad can be garnished with sliced cucumber, cherry or grape tomatoes or your other favorite salad toppings. platter and top with sliced steak. Per serving: 150 Cal, 2.5g Fat, 1g Sat Fat, 60mg Chol, 430mg Sod, 8g Carb, 2g Fiber, 23g Prot. ________________________ FOR DRESSING: Combine all ingredients and whisk until well blended. Set aside for later use. BISON STEAK SALAD WITH LIME AND GINGER DRESSING SALAD DRESSING: 3 Tbs tamari sauce 2 Tbs granulated sugar 3 Tbs fresh lime juice 2 Tbs water 1-2 Tbs fresh ginger, minced 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 Tbs red bell pepper, finely diced Marinade: 2 Tbs oyster sauce 2 Tbs tamari soy sauce 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced FOR MARINADE: Mix oyster sauce, tamari soy sauce, minced garlic, and brown sugar in medium bowl. Stir in steak. Allow the steaks to marinate for 30-90 minutes in the refrigerator. Turn the steaks occasionally. 1.In a large skillet, heat the oil over high heat. Add the bison steaks and sauté until each steak is browned on each side, about 4-5 minutes. Remove the steaks from the pan and allow the rest for 3-4 minutes. Slice each steak against the grain to ensure a tender texture. 2.Combine salad greens and other desired salad toppings in a large bowl. Add half of dressing and toss to coat. Arrange greens mixture on large rimmed STUFFED CHEDDAR BACON BURGERS 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided ¼ cup minced green onions 2 Tbsp. real bacon bits or crumbled cooked bacon 1 ½ lbs. ground bison burger ½ tsp. salt ¼ tsp. black pepper 4 Kaiser or onion rolls, split, grilled or INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL 41 RECIPES toasted if desired 4 lettuce leaves 4 slices tomato Optional: sliced pickles, ketchup, mustard or 1,000 Island dressing 1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat or preheat broiler. 2. Combine ½ cup cheese, green onions and bacon; mix well and set aside. Combine meat, salt, pepper and remaining ½ cup cheese, mixing well. Shape mixture to form 8 thin patties 4 ½ to 5 inches in diameter. Divide cheese and green onion mixture over 4 of the patties; top with remaining patties. Pinch edges together well to seal. 3. Grill or broil 5 to 6 minutes per side or until internal temperature of meat is 160°F. Serve in rolls with lettuce, tomato and condiments as desired. ________________________ bison. Season with chili powder and salt. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, or until rice is cooked and liquid is absorbed. ________________________ BISON, MUSHROOM AND BARLEY SLOW COOKER SOUP Makes 6 servings. 1 (32 oz.) carton beef stock 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce 1 cup water ½ onion, diced ¾ cup dices carrots 1 cup barley 1 (6 oz.) package sliced fresh mushrooms 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 lbs. bison sirloin, cut into chunks 1 pinch garlic salt, or to taste Salt and pepper to taste 2 bay leaves 1. Stir beef stock, tomato sauce, water, onion, carrot, barley, mushrooms, and garlic together in a slow cooker. 2. Season bison chunks with garlic salt, salt and black pepper; add to the beef stock mixture. Add bay leaves to the slow cooker. 3. Cook on Low until the soup thickens and the bison is tender, about 6 hours. 4. Remove and discard the bay leaves before serving. ________________________ SPANISH RICE WITH GROUND BISON Makes 4 servings. 1 lb. ground bison 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil 1 cup uncooked white rice 1 onion, chopped ½ green bell pepper, chopped 2 cups water 1 (10 oz.) can diced tomatoes and green chiles 2 tsp. chili powder, or to taste 1 tsp. salt 1. Brown ground bison in a skillet; set aside. Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Sauté rice, onion, and bell pepper until rice is browned and onions are tender. 2. Stir in water, tomatoes and ground 42 ©BUFFALO TRACKS | Spring 2015 SWEET AND SOUR MEATBALLS 1½ lbs. Bison stew meat Makes 2 to 3 dozen. 1 (12 fluid oz.) can or bottle chile sauce 2 tsp lemon juice 9 oz. grape jelly 1 lb. ground bison 1 egg, beaten 1 large onion, grated Salt to taste 1. Whisk together the chile sauce, lemon juice and grape jelly. Pour into slow cooker and simmer over low heat until warm. 2. Combine ground bison, egg, onion and salt. Mix well and form into 1 inch balls. Add to sauce and simmer for 1 ½ hours. ________________________ LASAGNA Makes 12 servings. 1 lb. ground bison 1 (32 oz.) jar spaghetti sauce 32 oz. cottage cheese 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 2 eggs ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 tsp. dried parsley Salt to taste Ground black pepper to taste 9 lasagna noodles ½ cup water 1. In a large skillet over medium heat brown the ground bison. Add the spaghetti sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. 2. In a large bowl, mix together the cottage cheese, 2 cups of the mozzarella cheese, eggs, half of the grated Parmesan cheese, dried parsley, sand and ground black pepper. 3. To assemble, in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish evenly spread ¾ cup of the sauce mixture. Cover with 3 uncooked lasagna noodles, 1 ¾ cup of the cheese mixture, and ¼ cup sauce. Repeat layers twice. Top with 3 noodles, remaining sauce, remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Add ½ cup water to the edges of the pan. Cover with aluminum foil. 4. Bake in a preheated 350° F oven for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. ________________________ BUFFALO RECIPES HEALTH INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO TRACKS COUNCIL 58 TRIBES PROUDLY SERVING THE BUFFALO NATION IN 19 STATES SUBSCRIPTIONS LOOO FAAAL UFFFFF BBU L BU C K S A SS R K C T A K TR C A TR L BAL ARI RT RIB INTTE INTER O ALO LFF A BU F F U B INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO ILCIL CN NU UO COC 013 MerRIn2 G 2013 sUMsP CIL COUN esa Te s sT sTaT 1919 n in sPr In G 2013 n a Tioin e buff al oaTion s er ving Thbuffalo n y udl Pro The The buff al o n a Tion in 19 sTa Tes 58 Tribe s g in 58 Tribe s Proudl seryv s er ving udly es Pro 58 Trib de n ss IId IIn E 4 ............ ............ ............ .......5 otes ...... ............ ent’s n ............ ............ 3 Presid otes ... ge ........ n ........ t’s ........ en nt’s n otes sa .. 7 esidside Mes........ ...... ........4 Vice Pr Pre ector’s ........ .........e... ......ssag s Me ive dir e d irec tor’... ..... 8 execut e xecutiv ssistant ..................... ... ativne4,ATec... ser ...vice ... istr .......43 ...nhotes egioai ........ ............ ng ........ Admin r President’s ................................ ........ ni cts II TrMarketing a spe ..... .9 ........... ................... 64 Region & ......g........... tluck d irector’s Message ...inin ... xecutive e Po rkeolting s......Tra n 1 Maho He sapa ....... 1 0 rregio ...... Tech service .................. 71 egion ...... ........ eat in4,sc ........ M ...... ........ ol f air ho 4 ..... 18 ake sc........ lTr Buffalospi&ritMarketing ... a spects ............................... al ... ib ... ......... rest................ inds inte item ......s...of... &ns e io 6 Four W Training ................. a Trib Marketing iow r egion 8 sl1at ews.......... a Tran r nc ....172 e, r eservation...n... ... ock dakotspirit g na .................. din Fi ................................ air f tan ake l s from ices serv........ ............................9 3 notes n ews nch &&Te 1 n atio a in of interest................... .....8 nied items o Tribe dm ... iowa .9 A ... t ........ ........ ... .............. Projec iben n ews .............. .............. n ews .......8 w nTratio r eservation dian r ock tanding sCro p ...... bison ..... 1 5 -1 6 Ute In undu mer of a w sican ......... lo Ro ... ................10 erews seum 9 9 ........ Buffa ponsn ................................ ........ -1 ation ... n nieda oMu ........ em 8 ... ........ 1 ... Plai ...... regam reat ............ 9 Old d& amersnailr inssthe ......... 11 sisne oad ................................ ews g dreation Bu Crow r ne the Li .... -2 1 Youn r ole nof ........................ ttom 0 alo......... bison 2 buff afrmerican ledBo ofof ... Museum se om ... emiss Trip ... ... ........ es ...12 .............. ........10 Pa Plains ............ .............. ................................ g reat & cy ...... 2 2 .............. Lega te........... pda n ... ............ 14 3 priltouthe a er ...... ...alo of so r ailroads ole ...in...the ........................ .. 2 Farth ... esof...buff suse u lbuffalo............... ona 11... 2 4 e Is diti ............ of emise dTra ......................... ston ..............15 ......olin ........ n ..... Yellow ig Car pa of r ex Cam ............12 ntu ................... n res ................................ atedve es pdate uso pril a ib 16 Bi ..... Tr ........................ .......... 2 5 ho........ Vo ...14 rapa........ .................... of buffalo se es uA buffalo nner&ecip Traditional ...18 2 6 ibe..................... Tr........ Cheye ................ ton........ ............ pealo ah & buff hW ............ 15 ................... hssealt of r ex Carolin asidventures ol ... eton 19 ..... ho........ ........ ...... 2 7 sc ................ an ........ di ........ ... In ........ ... ...... u ng ppi ................................ reaecipes buffalo Teach.............162 8 -2 9 andr lo Flsho ffa ... ......18 do Bu ... ng ... ........... ... 0 Lo ................................ buffalo ... & h ealth How ........ 3 s............ ............ Recipe .......................... 31 ............ 19 shopping Buffalo ................................ ............ ............ n A......Ir ......On e ......sh An su ... Is ... t TA gs ............ man Jeff...erso nex 3n,2 -3 3 blinhter of Tru ............ ...ctor s .... 3 4 Ramaug ... rd of Dire ... x’s ndd Regra tionBoa f our year old utrincil alonCou ............ of Buff ... s bal ... rTri pt s Inte ce te .35 ConTAsh Ann iabe Secretary of A Ir ...On ............ rding d ... ”...©...2012 ...uty s Rega r of loo ... ! Bea at Jefferson, le ke Truman st sa granddaughte old saa f our year “Aprk y for iams ill ht Je aig W Directors h of . Board lo n n Council Buffalo ka- Jaso ffa Secretary of InterTribalBu - Eriby tographer phypho tography.com Powwow Pho Ph ograight otaha www er .erik Cov Beauty” © 2012 “Apsaalooke OM Ins Id E $20.00 per year plus shipping. Name_____________________________________________ Address___________________________________________ City, State, Zip______________________________________ Phone_____________________________________________ Email_____________________________________________ Send payment to: InterTribal Buffalo Council 2497 W Chicago Street | Rapid City, SD 57702 .C FA L O www.erikahaig W W.I htphotography.com W c Om O. AL FF BU ww w .IT Bc h aight n .F Erika Powwow PhotographerT-B CBU www .ITBc BUFFAL O.c Om SUBSCRIBE TO THE BUFFALO TRACKS FOR ONLY $20.00 PER YEAR, MAILED RIGHT TO YOUR HOME. BUFFALO TRACKS IS A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER, MAILED TO 58 TRIBES THROUGHOUT 19 DIFFERENT STATES. WWW.ITBCBUFFALO.COM INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL 43 INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL 2497 W Chicago Street | Rapid City, South Dakota 57702 605-394-9730 fax: 605-394-7742 www.itbcbuffalo.com