Interior Secretary Deb Haaland announces new initiatives to support Indigenous bison herds.

U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland has revealed plans to restore large bison herds to Native American lands, emphasizing the importance of integrating Indigenous knowledge into conservation efforts. Under a new secretarial order, aimed for announcement on Friday, the government will allocate $25 million to assist tribes in establishing and expanding bison populations.

This funding, derived from last year’s climate legislation, is intended for creating new herds, transferring bison from federal to tribal lands, and developing management agreements between tribes and federal agencies. Despite a remarkable recovery from near extinction caused by commercial hunting in the 1800s, bison are still missing from many of their historical grassland habitats, complicating efforts for tribes to reconnect with these culturally significant animals.

Once numbering as many as 60 million, bison were central to the survival and culture of numerous Native American groups. Haaland noted that the species is “inextricably intertwined with Indigenous culture, grassland ecology, and American history.” However, relentless hunting by soldiers, tourists, and commercial interests pushed bison to the brink of extinction, with a mere few hundred remaining by 1889.

Haaland acknowledged the bison’s gradual recovery as a conservation success but stressed that further action is necessary to return these animals to tribal lands and restore the ecosystems they rely on. As the first Native American to serve in a U.S. Cabinet position, Haaland, from the Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico, is uniquely positioned to advocate for these initiatives.

Currently, 82 tribes across the U.S. manage over 20,000 bison in 65 herds, with numbers steadily increasing. This rise reflects a broader desire among Native Americans to reclaim their role in stewarding these animals. Many of the bison now held by tribes have been transferred from federal agencies, which have worked to manage government-controlled herds to prevent overpopulation.

Previous administrations have also sought to advance bison conservation initiatives, and tribal involvement has been integral to these efforts. Haaland’s new order prioritizes Native American interests within the Interior Department’s bison programme and includes plans to appoint a tribal leader to a committee focused on establishing new herds on both tribal and federal lands.

However, these actions may draw opposition from state officials in Montana, who have expressed resistance to increasing bison populations on federal lands. Recently, state lawmakers voted to oppose the reintroduction of bison to the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, a proposal under consideration by the Biden administration.

Of the $25 million earmarked for these efforts, approximately half will benefit the National Park Service, while the remainder will be allocated to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Fish and Wildlife Service. Notably, about $1 million is designated for an apprenticeship programme aimed at training tribal members in bison management across national parks and wildlife refuges.