Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative hosts Buffalo Run

August 8, 2025

CLC05650 — Patti Harris and her niece, Grace Provancial, hung up a sign directing runners to the starting line Thursday afternoon near Morton. h/t Carl Cote, County 10

(Morton, WY) – A group of over 40 runners made their way through the sagebrush to a spectacular view at the finish line Thursday during the Buffalo Run.

Patti Harris and Jason Baldes hosted the run on behalf of the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative (WRTBI) and Intertribal Fitness’ Run the Rez series to show the community the new pasture where the buffalo will freely roam in the next year.

Grace Provancial led a group of runners as they made their way toward the finish of the Buffalo Run hosted by the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative Thursday evening near Morton. h/t Carl Cote, County 10

The view from atop the cliff at the finish of the Buffalo Run looking northeast over the Tribal Buffalo Initiative’s enclosure, which is now home to over 150 buffalo belonging to the Wind River Indian Reservation. h/t Carl Cote, County 10

Runners were encouraged to run at their own pace for between 1-3 miles on top of the plateau south of the WRTBI’s buffalo pasture. “This time next year, there should be buffalo walking right here where we are now,” said Baldes to the group of runners assembled at the finish. “Bringing out community members here is part of our healing to connect with the buffalo and our lands.”

Jason Baldes circle to a circle of about 40 runners gathered Thursday evening after the Buffalo Run on the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative enclosure. “This time next year, there should be buffalo walking right here where we are right now,” said Baldes of part of the new buffalo pasture atop the hill extending the southern part of the camp. h/t Carl Cote, County 10

The Initiative’s Buffalo Camp, which began with just 10 buffalo in 2016 and has grown to over 150, aims to repopulate ancestral Shoshone land with the buffalo that were pushed to the brink of extinction in the 1800s. Groups of students and other visitors are invited for tours and educational events throughout the year to experience the buffalo in their natural habitat.

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Patti Harris talked about the importance of the Buffalo to the tribes Thursday evening as the sun set. “Their presence makes everything better,” said Harris. “They help us stand stronger in who we are as Shoshone and Arapaho people.” h/t Carl Cote, County 10

Historically, buffalo is more than just a food source for the Shoshone and Arapaho people. Both tribes are respectful and careful not to waste parts of the animal, using different organs, muscles, hide, and sinew for medicine, tools, and other purposes, in addition to helping form a deeper connection with the land. “Their presence makes everything better,” said Patti Harris. “The Buffalo help us stand stronger in who we are as Shoshone and Arapaho people.”