Buffalo Youth Nation Project

Buffalo Youth Nation Project is an all Volunteer Native Women led 501c3 building native based food sovereignty systems and providing resource security for native youth, families and their communities across the great plains region to bring healing and stability in alignment with our native values and virtues

We provide an after school nutrition program for our partner schools, this program is based on our Lakota values and virtues of being good relatives, our youth family and communities benefit from this program and we have delivered with support from our partners over 160,000 lbs of food. As a result attendance at our On Reservation partner schools is at historic highs and reading comprehension rates have doubled. 

In the Autumn of 2024 Buffalo Youth Nation Project took a giant leap into building Indigenous Food security through the acquiring of six Bison. These Pte yearlings are the foundation for building our future herd. This program is the Wokini program, Wokini is the Lakota word for 'Sacred new beginnings'. With this bison herd BYNP will expand services for all participating on Reservation schools by providing nutritious Indigenously sourced bison raised on a Native woman owned and operated ranch located in Wyoming. 

The Nake Nula Waun  (I am ready) Program provides essential items such as new shoes, clothing, backpacks, hygiene supplies, and emergency weather gear to students in transition, foster care, or in need of extra support. Every item is offered with love and the message that our youth are seen, valued, and ready to walk a strong path. 

We are also honored to highlight our Farm to School connection with the Cheyenne River Buffalo Authority, which allows us to serve culturally and spiritually significant bison meat to our youth. Through this partnership nourish not only the bodies of our young people, but also their spirits and identity as Buffalo Nations. 

In addition to these programs we also offer the Winter Ready program. Every year any student that needs new winter gear such as new coats, hats, gloves, mittens, boots, warm clothing, is able to receive this though our program. 

At Buffalo Youth Nation Project, our 4 core programs are more than services. They are sacred pillars of stability rooted in the Lakota understanding of the four directions. Each direction offers teachings that help us live in balance spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Together, our programs form a circle of life that restores dignity, connection and strength to our youth and communities. 

East ( Wiyakpa-Red): the direction of beginnings, and the rising sun. This is reflected in our education and School nutrition programs where we nourish our children with traditional foods and knowledge to begin their days and lives in a good way. 

South (Itokagata-Yellow) The direction of growth, youthfulness and trust. This lives in our community and youth outreach, where young people find belonging, healing and cultural identity. 

West (Wiyohiyanpa-Black) The direction of introspection, endings and the unknown. This is honored in our Bison Restoration initiative. When we walk with our Buffalo relatives and remember who we are returning, turning to spiritual and ecological harmony.  

North (Waziyata-White) the direction of wisdom, strength and endurance. This is expressed through our Nake Nula Waun (I Am Ready) program, where we care for our youth in foster care and crisis, offering warmth, protection and guidance. 

These four programs stand like the Sacred Hoop- Mitakuye Oyasin- Connecting all our relatives. When you support Buffalo Youth Nation Project, you help us walk this circle with purpose, balance and the strength of our ancestors.