The American buffalo, also known as bison, has always held great meaning for American Indian people. To Indian people buffalo represent their spirit and remind them of how their lives were once lived, free and in harmony with nature. In the 1880's, the white man recognized the reliance Indian Tribes had on the buffalo. Thus began the systematic destruction of the buffalo to try to subjugate the western Tribal Nations.

Without the buffalo, the independent life of the Indian people could no longer be maintained. The Indian spirit, along with that of the buffalo, suffered an enormous loss. At that time, Tribes began to sign treaties with the U.S. Government in an attempt to protect the land and the buffalo for their future generations. The destruction of the buffalo herds and the associated devastation to the Tribes disrupted the self-sufficient lifestyle of the Indian people more than all other federal policies to date. To reestablish healthy buffalo populations on Tribal lands is to reestablish hope for the Indian people. Members of the InterTribal Bison Cooperative (ITBC) understand that reintroduction of the buffalo to Tribal lands will help heal the spirit of both the Indian people and the buffalo.

Although some Tribes and Tribal members have been engaged in the production of buffalo for sale and/or for the subsistence and cultural use, these activities have been conducted by each individual Tribe, with little or no collaboration between the Tribes. However, ITBC was formed in 1990 to coordinate and assist Tribes in returning buffalo to Indian Country. ITBC has a membership of 28 Tribes with a collective herd of over 3,500 bison. Membership of ITBC remains open and there is continued interest by non-member Tribes in the organization.

ITBC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) Tribal organization and is committed to reestablishing buffalo herds on Indian lands in a manner that promotes economic development, cultural enhancement, ecological restoration, and spiritual revitalization. ITBC is governed by a Board of Directors, which is comprised of one Tribal representative from each member Tribe.

ITBC is funded through public and private grants and donations. Any contributions for the restoration of the buffalo to Indian Country are welcomed and greatly appreciated. All contributions will be devoted to sustaining and strengthening Native American buffalo projects. Individuals and organizations interested in supporting ITBC may become honorary members for an annual fee of $100.00. Honorary members will receive a quarterly newsletter and periodic technical publications on the cultural, social, ecological, and economic aspects of buffalo and their relationship with Indian people.