News & Stories
NCAT Soil For Water: Timeless Methods, Novel Opportunities
The Texas Tribal Buffalo Project, led by Lucille Contreras, integrates Indigenous traditions with regenerative agriculture by reintroducing bison to Texas lands. Their natural grazing patterns promote soil health and biodiversity, aiding in the revival of native grasses and the control of invasive species like mesquite. This initiative not only restores ecological balance but also strengthens cultural ties for the Lipan Apache and other Native communities, emphasizing the profound connection between people, buffalo, and the land.
Texas Standard: Return of buffalo to Texas’ Lipan Apache tribe symbolizes an era of healing
After more than a century, the Lipan Apache tribe in Texas is reestablishing its connection with the buffalo through the Texas Tribal Buffalo Project. Founded by Lucille Contreras, the initiative has introduced a herd of nine bison to 77 acres of ancestral land in Waelder, Texas. This effort not only revives a vital cultural and spiritual relationship but also aims to expand buffalo herding practices among Indigenous communities across the state. The project symbolizes a broader movement toward healing, sovereignty, and ecological restoration for Native peoples in Texas.
Buffalo Are Back: Founder Lucille Contreras Featured on Quivira Coalition’s Down to Earth Podcast
Buffalo Treaty: Texas Tribal Buffalo Project is Honored to Become a Signatory
The Texas Tribal Buffalo Project (TTBP), dedicated to healing the generational trauma of Lipan Apache descendants and other Native nations, has announced its intention to become a signatory of the Buffalo Treaty. This commitment aligns with TTBP’s mission to restore the historical relationship and cultural identity inherent in the Lipan Apache-bison connection. Through initiatives like intertribal internships and community programs, TTBP seeks to make bison products accessible and provide educational experiences that reconnect people with the land and their Indigenous heritage.