American Bison

• Started with 8 bison in 2010 and now have nearly 200
• DNA test the bison to separate bovine DNA from pure DNA to preserve the herds genetics
• Currently, all bison are pure
• A graduate student from the University of Arkansas will be coming to study the herds behavioral habits

Black Angus Cattle

• Launched the Quapaw Cattle Company in 2014
• Started with 75 head and now have around 1,200
• Packaged meats are used in all tribal facilities
• Beef and bison both retail at all tribal outlets and during regular employee sales

Goats

• Started with 50 head in 2016 and now have over 100
• Used in the pastures with the bison for natural weed control
• Fun Fact: Some of the goats will respond to their ear tag number!

Food Sovereignty Projects

Food sovereignty is defined as the right of Native peoples to retain their cultural identity and to reserve fundamental rights, including the right to produce food, granted in treaties and other legal documents. It is the process of decolonizing the local food system to recreate a sustainable system that maximizes self-reliance through farm-to-table initiatives.

• An AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer created a food sovereignty team with employees from several different departments.
• Assessed the production, purchasing, and consumption of food from the perspective of consumers
• 18 different tribes were represented in the results
• Asked about food access, affordability, nutrition, traditional knowledge, and future ideas
• Data and final report will be shared with other tribes, the USDA, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, and the Intertribal Ag Council

Feed Facility

• Provides backgrounding, finishing, and breeding services via artificial insemination for outside producers
• Has capacity for 1,800 head of livestock
• Includes a silage pit to store corn silage used for feed
• Also includes a commodity barn for dry and wet distillers grain and cracked corn
• Recently constructed a silo to store up to 2,500 bushels of corn
• Helps to stabilize the price of feed corn both internally and for outside customers

Processing Plant

• Launched the Quapaw Cattle Company in 2014
• Opened in 2017
• The first tribally-owned and operated cattle processing plant
• 14 employees and 2 college interns work at the plant
• Equipped to process: Beef, bison, goat, lamb, pork and elk
• Helps commercial producers expand their business
• We process, package, then create custom labels to help producers sell their own quality inspected meat in local markets
• Plant is designed to be educational
• Built-in training room for classes about meat identification, carcass studies, and meat grading
• Several thousand people toured the facility this year from tribes, universities, and youth organizations
• Work with local FFA chapters, the Intertribal Ag Youth Council, Missouri State University, NEO and the University of Arkansas regularly
• MSU brings foreign exchange students from Brazil, China and Kazakhstan
• Host various classes from environmental science, animal science, ag economics, and natural resource departments

Row Crops

• Manage over 2,000 acres of land
Grow corn, wheat, soy beans, and Canola

Dog Training Facility

• Program was started in 2015
• Employs two full-time trainers and multiple US Military veterans as handlers
• Train 11 multi-purpose Belgium Malinois canines from Holland
• 7 explosive detection dogs that were just recently certified in 19 different explosive odors
• Used for security in casinos and events such as concerts
• 1 narcotics dog that is also trained in search/rescue
• Trained to detect cocaine, meth, marijuana, and heroin
• Was sent to Texas, Florida, ad Puerto Rico to help after the hurricanes
• 1 arson dog – the only arson dog in Oklahoma
• Assisted in 75 cases last year
• 2 pathogen detection dogs
• On the final phase of training: live virus detection for salmonella, listeria, and E. coli
• An HBO show and a documentary were made about the program

Downstream Crafted Brewing Company

• Launched in 2018
• Has four different brews
• Craft House Kolsch
• Flat Rock Red
• Gentleman Bison IPA
• Honey Brown Bomber

Wetlands Project

• Funded by the EPA
• Built wetlands near the feeding facility to catch runoff water in holding ponds
• Ponds are aerated by wind mills that push air through a tube connecting to the pond
• Water is cleaned and released naturally through the settlement process
• Registered Kansas wetlands by Downstream catch oils, salt, etc coming from the parking lot

Greenhouses

• Our first greenhouses were constructed in 2013
• Currently have five 30’x90’ greenhouses and recently received a grant to fund a sixth
• Horticulturalists supply heirlooms, herbs, spices, and landscaping flowers and shrubbery to our casino, hotel and spa
• Grow 21 varieties of herbs and vegetables
• Including ceremonial corns and tobacco
• Produce 6,000 pounds of food each year
• Tribal childcare learning centers and local elementary schools tour the greenhouses and learn to plant seedlings that they can take home at the end of the day

Bee Hives

• Started in 2015 with 18 hives and now have around 75
• Goal is 100 hives
• Sell honey at all Quapaw retail outlets, but typically sell out quickly
• Honey varies in color and taste depending on the season
• Honey is incorporated into food/beers at Downstream
• Also produce lip balms, candles, and scrubs from the bee wax

Coffee Roasting Facility

• Opened in 2016
Two full-time employees Import beans from other tribes around the world to create our own custom blends Our three coffee blends sell at all Quapaw retail outlets Coffee is served in all tribal facilities Ship to customers in Puerto Rico and events across the U.S.

Community Gardens

• Planted by employee volunteers from the Environmental Department and Cattle Company
• Provides onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, squash, carrots, potatoes, beans, radish, lettuce, bell peppers, and strawberries
• Raised beds make it easier on the elders’ backs
• All food goes to community members, the Title VI program, and childcare centers