Tribal Initiatives and Opportunities for Land Return and Co-Stewardship in the Northern Great Plains

Abstract

In the Northern Great Plains (NGP), Indigenous Peoples' relationship with the grasslands is profound. Yet, their conservation efforts are often obstructed by a history of insufficient recognition of their land and governance rights and legislative and regulatory obstacles. With Indigenous Peoples representing a significant proportion of the NGP's population, their impact on grassland conservation is substantial and their role in stewardship initiatives is essential for the ecological and cultural integrity of the region. Since January 2023, serving as student consultants for the Buffalo Nations Grasslands Alliance (BNGA)—an Indigenous alliance composed of 11 Tribes dedicated to managing grasslands on native lands—we have conducted a project aimed at bolstering Indigenous-led conservation in the NGP. Our work has been focused on supporting the initiatives of Tribal Nations, particularly the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, to navigate and assert their rights and engage in co-stewardship and land return, underpinned by the vital significance of Indigenous stewardship and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). The analysis conducted as part of this project seeks to contribute to the growing body of knowledge that recognizes and understands the valuable contributions of Indigenous knowledge systems and governance structures to the restoration of and management of the NGP. Our research efforts are dedicated to supporting the development of tribal-led conservation and co-management strategies with tribes and tribal organizations, which is essential for maintaining the ecological and cultural fabric of these historically significant grasslands.