We’re Live: Indigenous Peoples in Texas Oral History Archive

We’re proud to share that the Indigenous Peoples in Texas Oral History Archive is now live and publicly accessible.

This digital collection is the result of a collaborative effort between Texas Tribal Buffalo Project and Rice University, made possible through support from the university’s Center for Civic Leadership and their HART (Houston Action Research Teams) program. Over the course of a year, HART students worked alongside our team and Indigenous narrators to gather and preserve oral histories that reflect the depth, strength, and ongoing presence of Native people in Texas.

Explore the archive:

Indigenous Peoples in Texas Oral History Archive

These interviews, housed in Rice’s Woodson Research Center at Fondren Library, capture powerful stories of land, identity, resilience, and belonging—told in the voices of those who have lived them.

Why This Matters

Indigenous people are often left out of how Texas tells its own story. This archive is one way we’re changing that—by making space for Native voices to be heard, preserved, and respected in their own words.

Our stories are still being told. We’re still here. And we always have been.

Special Thanks

We extend deep gratitude to:

• Our Indigenous community members who trusted us with their stories

• The HART students who approached this work with care and humility

• The team at the Woodson Research Center at Rice University for stewarding this collection

• And to the Center for Civic Leadership at Rice for believing in the importance of this work and helping make it possible

This project reflects what can happen when institutions listen and follow the lead of Native communities.

We invite educators, researchers, artists, and relatives to explore, utilize, and share the archive!

Texas Tribal Buffalo Project Becomes First EBT/SNAP-Accessible Indigenous Bison Meat Brand to Earn GO TEXAN Certification

Texas Tribal Buffalo Project Is GO TEXAN Certified and Expanding Access to Bison Meat Across Turtle Island

We are proud to announce that Texas Tribal Buffalo Project is now officially GO TEXAN Certified by the Texas Department of Agriculture. This certification recognizes Texas-grown agricultural products that support local producers and honor regional values. For us, it confirms what we have always known: our work with Buffalo is rooted in care, quality, and cultural responsibility.

We are also proud to be the only Bison meat producer in the United States that accepts EBT/SNAP benefits and ships nationwide. Our Buffalo meat is now more accessible than ever, reaching families and communities across Turtle Island.

Expanding Food Access with Buffalo Meat You Can Trust

When you buy from Texas Tribal Buffalo Project, you are not just purchasing high-quality meat. You are supporting:

• Indigenous-led regenerative ranching

• Access to traditional, nutrient-dense foods

• Food sovereignty and dignity through EBT/SNAP accessibility

• Rematriation grounded in cultural knowledge

We believe everyone should have access to clean, nourishing food. By offering nationwide shipping and SNAP payment options, we are breaking down the barriers that keep traditional foods out of reach.

What Is the GO TEXAN Program?

The GO TEXAN program supports Texas-based producers who are committed to local agriculture, economic development, and sustainable practices. When you see the GO TEXAN logo, you know you are buying from a trusted source that reflects the values of our state.

For Texas Tribal Buffalo Project, GO TEXAN certification increases visibility, builds trust with new customers, and strengthens our position in the local and national marketplace. It connects our Buffalo meat with buyers who care about quality, origin, and purpose.

A Mission Rooted in Indigenous Foodways

Buffalo are more than livestock. They are relatives, teachers, and central to our food systems and spiritual survival. At Texas Tribal Buffalo Project, we blend traditional ecological knowledge with regenerative ranching methods to:

• Heal relationships between land, animal, and people

• Reclaim Indigenous food practices

• Build local food systems with global impact

• Educate and empower Native and non-Native communities

Every cut of meat, every package we ship, carries a story of rematriation and resistance.

What’s Next for Texas Tribal Buffalo Project

You will start to see the GO TEXAN badge on our products, website, and at events across the state. Our online store remains open, and we continue to accept EBT/SNAP payments and ship Buffalo meat across Turtle Island.

We are also growing our community partnerships, expanding educational programs, and working with other Indigenous food leaders to strengthen local economies and restore land-based knowledge.

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook for updates on where to find us next, recipe ideas, and behind-the-scenes stories from the ranch.

About Texas Tribal Buffalo Project

Texas Tribal Buffalo Project is a Native-led nonprofit based in Texas. Our mission is to restore Buffalo to the Southern Plains and Lipan Apache lineal descendants. We are building a food system that is culturally grounded, ecologically responsible, and open to all.