Julian Matthews, an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe and staff member of the Idaho Chapter Sierra Club (Wildlife and Lands Coordinator) based in Pullman WA recently presented a Resolution (below) for the Nez Perce Tribe to research and develop a plan to bring buffalo to the Nez Perce Tribe and its people.
He presented the Resolution after meeting with other local Tribes that have their own buffalo herd. These include the Kalispel Tribe, the Yakama Tribe and the Colville Tribes. These and other Tribes have had successful buffalo programs and have shown how the buffalo can benefit the Tribal members by providing good healthy meat and other products Tribes have eaten and utilized for generations.
The meeting was attended by approximately 350 Enrolled Nez Perce and received overwhelming support for this Resolution and action. The Resolution approved by the General Membership will now go to the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee for taking action and implementing the goals of the Resolution. As the process is in the initial stages, more buffalo informational sessions and summits will be held to garner more information on what the buffalo program will entail.
Resolution: Development of Buffalo in Nimiipuu country and Bison Management program
Whereas, the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee has been empowered to act for and on behalf of the Nez Perce Tribe, pursuant to the Revised Constitution and By-Laws, adopted by the General Council of the Nez Perce Tribe, on May 6, 1961 and approved by the Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs on June 27, 1961; and
Whereas, the Nez Perce Tribe has been working on protecting the inhabitants and species that have been an important part of our Treaty of 1855 and Usual and Accustomed Places historically prior to the Westward migration; and
Whereas, the boundaries of the Treaty of 1855 and Usual and accustomed areas where we hunt, fish and gather has been impacted by states that have been controlling and decimating the fish, wolf, grizzly and buffalo populations; and
Whereas, the Nez Perce Tribe has been attempting to work on ensuring that the Treaty of 1855 and Usual and accustomed areas are left in a better condition for future generations to hunt, fish and gather for the Nimiipuu and others; and
Whereas, the Nez Perce (Nimiipuu) people have, prior to the westward expansion been able to live and travel to hunt, fish and gather within the Usual and Accustomed areas that provide for our subsistence; and
Whereas, Historically there was enough abundance of buffalo and other four leggeds that allowed us to continue our culture and way of life by providing the first foods that we have traditionally utilized; and
Whereas, one of our main “first foods” was buffalo that we hunted in our Usual and Accustomed areas; and
Whereas, many other tribes have set up their own Buffalo programs to provide for their people, elders and youth to have buffalo available for their subsistence; and
Whereas, the Nimiipuu wish to continue our ties and connection with the iconic Buffalo to ensure their survival as part of our culture and history; and
Now Therefore Be It Resolved That the NPTEC and its entities will work on researching and acquiring buffalo to be brought to the Tribe for management and development of a Buffalo herd and provide for all necessary logistics and requirements for developing and managing a Nimiipuu Buffalo program for the benefit of the Nimiipuu; and
Be It Further Resolved That the Nez Perce Tribal programs and departments will look at current lands available for a buffalo herd placement and will determine the suitability of lands within our Tribal lands or US Forest Service lands; and
Be It Further Resolved That the NPTEC and its departments shall provide a review and analysis of developing a Buffalo herd and program within our reservation or Treaty land at the Sept 2025 General Council; and
Be It Further Resolved That, the Nez Perce Tribe General Council Chairman and Secretary will be authorized to take action as needed to present and implement this resolution.
CERTIFICATION
The foregoing resolution was duly adopted by the Nez Perce Tribe General Membership meeting held at the May 2025 General council meeting in the Waayas Community Center, Kamiah, Idaho a quorum of its members being present and voting.