On Friday, November 15th, we celebrated our annual Buffalo Harvest—a day filled with excitement and deep cultural significance. The buffalo harvest embodies our profound connection to Lakota culture, spirituality, and sustainability, reminding us of the importance of living in harmony with the natural world. A time for all of our schools and students of all ages to come together in learning and celebration.
Each year, 4-5 high school males are selected to help with the hunt. They get up before the sun, their faces painted and are a part of prayer. After the buffalo is killed it is brought back to campus for processing. Once it arrives on campus, the day begins for the rest of the student body And that day starts with prayer and teachings about the sacred relationship between the buffalo and our people. As part of the experience, we include tipi raising, hand games, and singing, immersing everyone in rich cultural practices. Students play an active role, learning firsthand how to process, clean, and package every part of the buffalo, ensuring nothing is wasted. These teachings help them understand the buffalo’s role in sustaining life and community.
Students, staff, and community members take what they need to create food, art, or other cultural materials, continuing the cycle of generosity and resourcefulness. The harvested buffalo meat is packaged and frozen for future school events and use in our cafeteria, keeping the spirit of giving alive. Most importantly, the Buffalo Harvest serves as a vital opportunity to pass on these teachings to our Lakota youth, ensuring they carry forward the knowledge, traditions, and values that sustain our culture.
