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In a major victory for U.S. Indigenous land stewardship, bison have been returned to the South Dakota Badlands. 50 wild bison were released on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 onto nearly 40,000 acres in the South Unit of Badlands National Park, South Dakota. Led by the Lakota nonprofit Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation, the release took place in an area known as the Stronghold, or Oonakizin. This release marks a significant triumph for Indigenous land stewardship, reclaiming a vital piece of the native landscape that was previously leased for cattle grazing but has rested for several years to allow the prairie ecosystem to recover. The return of the bison, a keystone species, is expected to dramatically restore biodiversity, soil quality, and native plant life like sage and prairie turnip, as the animals' grazing habits encourage rapid vegetation regrowth. For the Lakota people, however, the significance of this event extends far beyond wildlife conservation. The "Tatanka" holds a sacred place in Lakota creation stories, representing a profound connection to their cultural identity. This release of 50 bison is only the first phase of a long-term plan, with Thunder Valley aiming to eventually build the herd up to nearly 400 animals, breathing new life into the South Dakota plains and honoring ancestral relationships with the land. source: KOTA Territory News. (2026). 50 bison released for ecological restoration project in Badlands National Park. KOTA Territory TV.