Honoring Land, People, and Legacy

Arete Selected to Design New Tribal Buffalo Center on the Wind River Reservation

Fort Washakie, Wyo. — The return of the buffalo to the Shoshone and Arapaho people represents more than a restoration of a species. It is an act of renewal for the land, the people, and generations to come. In recognition of this powerful movement, the Wind River Sage Fund has selected Arete Design Group to design the new Tribal Buffalo Center in Morton, Wyo. This project will serve as a cultural and educational landmark for the Wind River Reservation and beyond.

Arete Design Group, an architecture and design firm based in Sheridan, Wyo., was chosen from among 16 competing firms for its significant experience in the state and a vision that aligned with that of the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative. Arete is partnering with MASS Design Group, an internationally recognized firm known for creating spaces that honor culture, history, and human connection. Arete and MASS will work closely with the tribes, the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative, the Wind River Sage Fund, and the surrounding community to design a building that listens to the land and reflects the spirit of the buffalo.

The new 14,400-square-foot Tribal Buffalo Center will include a museum, gift shop, mini theater, administrative offices, and community meeting areas. Located at the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative site along Highway 26, the center will welcome visitors to learn from and about the land, the people, and the buffalo. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2026.

“We are honored to be a part of this significant project,” said Rachel Delventhal, Principal at Arete. “Its impact will be felt for generations. Arete and MASS Design Group are here to listen to the people, understand the land and the buffalo, and design a center that speaks to the rich history of the Tribes and the deep significance of this place.”

For the Shoshone and Arapaho people, the buffalo’s return represents spiritual and ecological restoration.

“The return of buffalo to the Shoshone and Arapaho people is the return of a long lost relative, important for ceremony, nutrition, education, and food sovereignty for the people, but also important as part of the land, and to other plants and animals,” said Jason Baldes, Executive Director of the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative. “This building signifies that importance by providing space for community, while providing informative experiences for visitors traveling through the reservation, to learn of our shared history and continued efforts to protect land, water and wildlife.”

The Tribal Buffalo Center is one of eight grants awarded to WRSF through Economic Development Administration’s Recompete Pilot Program. WRSF is also making significant investments in workforce training, food sovereignty, health care programs, and land planning.

“We are very excited to be working with Arete Design Group on the new Tribal Buffalo Center,” said Paul F. Huberty, Executive Director of the Wind River Sage Fund. “This project is the centerpiece of our Recompete grant and represents a $9.75 million investment into the Wind River economy.”

For more information, please visit the Wind River Sage Fund at wrsagefund.org