Assiniboine and Sioux tribes restore bison herds in Montana

The Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes received 219 bison from Yellowstone National Park in February 2026 to bolster their herd at Turtle Mound Buffalo Ranch in Montana.

This shipment represented the largest transfer of animals since the partnership started in 2012. The bison arrived at the ranch near Wolf Point, where they will join a population that currently numbers about 1,000 animals.

The tribes began the effort to bring buffalo back to the area more than 30 years ago by setting aside 5,000 acres of land. Program manager Robbie Magnan says the initiative aims to close a cultural gap caused by the removal of Native people and buffalo from the plains. To sustain the project, the tribes manage a business herd funded by lotteries and hunts, while a separate cultural herd supports ceremonies, food sharing, and education.

The bison move from Yellowstone to tribal lands through the Bison Conservation and Transfer Program. This initiative provides a live alternative to slaughtering bison that wander outside the park. The Fort Peck Tribes manage the quarantine process, keeping animals in pens for one year to ensure they are disease free. Beyond food security and cultural reconnection, the project impacts local education.

Students from Poplar Middle School visit the ranch to learn about anatomy and tribal history, while the Fort Peck Pté Group works with schools to integrate buffalo lessons into the curriculum.