Bringing Back the Bison: David Wise of Native Wise
David Wise grew up on the Fond du Lac Reservation in Minnesota, where food followed the seasons and knowledge of the land was woven into daily life. Today, as the founder of Native Wise, he raises bison, harvests manoomin, or wild rice, and produces maple sugar, maple syrup, and honey.
But his path to this work was anything but straightforward.
In this episode, David joins host Dana DiPrima to talk about growing up Ojibwe, the knowledge passed through his family, his years working in forestry, conservation, and with the USDA, and the extraordinary story behind bringing bison back to his family ranch.
They talk about the cultural and ecological importance of manoomin, why naturally growing wild rice is so dependent on clean water and healthy ecosystems, and what is lost when communities are separated from traditional foods. David also shares the practical realities of building Native Wise today, from growing a bison herd and creating markets to processing, supplying restaurants, and raising the next generation inside the work.
It is a conversation about food, land, culture, community, and what it means to carry knowledge forward. It is also full of great stories, including a bull named Renegade, tipping canoes during wild rice harvest, and a truly staggering order for bison hot dogs.
In this episode:
- Growing up with seasonal food on the Fond du Lac Reservation
- The knowledge David inherited from his family
- His work in forestry, conservation, and Native agriculture
- The story behind bringing bison back to the ranch
- Manoomin, traditional wild rice harvesting, and clean water
- The connection between traditional foods and health
- Building Native Wise and creating markets for Indigenous foods
- Raising bison on grass and building processing infrastructure
- Supplying chefs and restaurants, including Sean Sherman
- Passing knowledge and responsibility to the next generation
About David Wise
David Wise is the founder of Native Wise, an Ojibwe-owned farm and food business based on the Fond du Lac Reservation in Minnesota. His work centers on bison, manoomin, maple products, honey, and foods rooted in the land, culture, and traditions of his community.
One Bite is Everything
From your plate to the rest of the world, One Bite is Everything explores the connections between food, health, community, the environment, and the economy. Through conversations with farmers, chefs, researchers, advocates, and food system leaders, host Dana DiPrima examines how food touches every aspect of our lives and why understanding our food system has never mattered more.
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Connect
Follow Dana at @xoxofarmgirl and learn more about the For Farmers Movement at forfarmersmovement.com.
Co-production by Sonia Dhillon. Sound design and original music by Russell Chapa.