CCC 1st Cohort Fellow: Ed is a board member and bison caretaker of the Knife Chief Buffalo Nation Project at the Pine Ridge Reservation in Porcupine, South Dakota, where he has lived his whole life. He is also the South Dakota State Representative for District 27. Ed is working on a community-based initiative, the mission of which is to strengthen the connection between the Lakota people and the buffalo. Historically, the Lakota people practiced collaboration as a way of life, and understood the importance of the concept of conservationism. Due to historical events that have created a “disconnect” from teachings, a revitalization of these beliefs and practices must occur and Ed’s project will create a resource for this. Ed is producing a pictorial with narrative on the role of the Buffalo Nation in the Lakota spiritual and cultural ceremonies with emphasis on their role in conservationism according to the Lakota perspective to be used in schools, colleges, universities and for community presentations. He is collaborating with Village Earth, youth from Pine Ridge Reservation, and traditional healers and elders to complete this project.

Where We Work