Empowering the Next Generation of Women: Young Women’s Buffalo Harvest

In November 2025, First Nations’ Native Agriculture and Food Systems Investments program sponsored the first-ever Young Women’s Buffalo Harvest at the DuBray Buffalo Ranch in Mobridge, South Dakota, in partnership with Codie Horse-Topetchy (Kiowa, Comanche, and Otoe-Missouria) and Elsie DuBray (Cheyenne River Lakxóta Nation).

The Dubray Buffalo Ranch provided the ideal setting for place-based learning.

The event brought together 15 young women, ages 17 to 28, of various tribal nations and experience levels. Attendees represented a wide range of educational paths, from high school students to those completing master’s degrees. For some, it was their first experience in contact with the buffalo; for others, it was a chance to deepen their knowledge and share teachings with peers. This mix of experience created a powerful environment of mentorship, skill-building, and cultural exchange.

The focus on young women was intentional. In many settings, young women are too often left on the sidelines of conversations surrounding our buffalo relatives and land-based practices. At times, they are also overshadowed by more experienced voices and male-dominated roles. This gathering was designed to shift the dynamic and provide a space where young women can fully take part and learn from one another and the buffalo, without being pushed aside.

In centering women’s presence, the event affirmed that their perspectives, skills, education, and leadership are vital to the future of the buffalo and our work toward food sovereignty.

About the Hosts

Codie Horse-Topetchy and Elsie DuBray were instrumental in hosting the Young Women’s Buffalo Harvest.

Elsie DuBray and Codie Horse-Topetchy are longtime colleagues and partners of First Nations.

Codie is a junior majoring in Native American Studies with minors in linguistics and political science at the University of Oklahoma. She provided vital youth perspectives toward First Nations’ Research and Advocacy for Native Economic Justice program and findings behind our “Elevating Native Voices of Justice Across Indian Country” report.

Elsie is a community research associate in San Francisco, committed to advancing knowledge of the intersection between food sovereignty, public health, and culture, and physical, mental, spiritual, environmental, economic, and cultural health in Indigenous communities. Elsie is also featured in First Nations’ GATHER film, a documentary that builds international awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the Native American food movement.   

Sharing and Strengthening through Buffalo

Through the harvest, the young women learned from another, bringing women’s perspectives and unique knowledge to a practice that is often male-dominated.

One of the most memorable moments of the harvest came at the end of the first day, when everyone gathered over shredded bison and buffalo soup to reflect on their time together. The young women shared how the harvest connected them to the land, relatives, ancestors, and each other.

After 10 years of working on these types of projects both as a staff member of First Nations and now as the Director of the Native Agriculture and Food Systems Investments program, it was clear that the long-term impact of our food sovereignty and food security work is shaping new generations that can lead us forward. During the buffalo harvest, I noticed the younger women leading the teaching and guiding their older sisters, based on their own experience, access, and familiarity with butchering. Watching the youngest teaching so confidently as they embodied the work First Nations has supported for over 20 years made it clear how far our food sovereignty efforts have come.

The inaugural Young Women’s Buffalo Harvest stands as a meaningful step toward uplifting young Native women leaders in food sovereignty. Through shared experience, cultural knowledge, and renewed confidence, these women carry forward teachings that will continue to nourish their families and communities for years to come.

First Nations is honored to continue to support this work, both for its role in empowering women and for advancing Native food systems and the stewardship of Native lands through buffalo restoration.