This book investigates the viability of bison ranching as a sustainable economic development program for Native American tribes on the Great Plains. Sebastian Felix Braun, drawing on extensive fieldwork and interdisciplinary approaches, examines the establishment and fifteen-year evolution of Pte Hca, Inc. on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. The study explores the complex relationships between people and bison, the interplay of ecology and economy, and the integration of traditional and contemporary Lakota values within this enterprise. Ultimately, the book seeks to determine whether such projects have met their expectations and fostered cultural continuity.

The book is presented as a rigorous academic study, utilizing anthropological, economic, and ecological perspectives to analyze a specific case of Native American economic development. The description suggests a detailed examination of cultural change and the practical application of traditional values within a modern business context. The focus on fieldwork and interdisciplinary approaches indicates a text aimed at scholars and students interested in Native American studies, anthropology, and sustainable development. The premise promises a nuanced picture of the challenges and successes inherent in such initiatives.