Data Sovereignty
Communities own and control their data. Our tools are built on protocols that keep data in Indigenous hands.
Backed by 
Advancing Indigenous stewardship through sovereign technology
An Indigenous-led nonprofit building digital tools for buffalo rematriation and ecological monitoring—with data sovereignty and scientific rigor at the core.
Our Focus
What We Offer
Our platform combines Indigenous knowledge with modern technology to support buffalo rematriation and land health.
Ecological Monitoring
Track land health, vegetation, and wildlife to support evidence-based stewardship and restoration.
Herd Health
Monitor buffalo health, movement, and population dynamics with non-invasive sensors and analytics.
CO2 Tracking
Quantify carbon and ecosystem services to support climate reporting and conservation funding.
Featured Partners
Mila
Mila is the world’s largest academic deep learning research institute, based in Montreal. As a key partner, Mila supports Buffalo In Motion with advanced AI research, technical expertise, and collaborative projects at the intersection of technology and ecological stewardship.
Mission & Vision
Why we exist and how we work—Indigenous stewardship and sovereign technology.
The Why
Buffalo rematriation is cultural, spiritual, and ecological. Restoring buffalo to the land restores relationship—between Indigenous peoples and the animal, between ecosystems and climate, and between data and those who have been excluded from owning it.
Our mission is to advance Indigenous stewardship by building technology that respects data sovereignty: communities decide how their data is collected, stored, and used. We combine traditional knowledge with modern tools so that monitoring and science serve the land and the people, not the other way around.
The How
We use a data sovereignty framework at every layer: field sensors and tags, secure databases, and analytics dashboards. Data stays in the hands of communities and partners who participate; we do not sell or repurpose it without explicit agreement.
Our technology stack is designed for reliability in remote and rural settings, with clear protocols for who can access what. We work with pilot communities to co-design features and ensure the tools support real-world stewardship and herd health—with scientific credibility and grassroots authenticity.
Our Technology
A three-layer stack: field devices, sovereign data infrastructure, and intelligence tools. Hover over each component for a short explanation.
Field Layer
Sensors and devices that collect data on the land and animals.
GPS Tags
Lightweight GPS collars or tags for tracking buffalo movement and herd behavior without harm.
Drones
Aerial surveys for vegetation, terrain, and herd counts in remote areas.
Soil Sensors
Moisture, temperature, and nutrient data to monitor land health and restoration.
Camera Traps
Non-invasive wildlife and herd monitoring with privacy-respecting protocols.
Data Layer
Secure storage and sovereignty protocols.
Database
Structured storage with access controls; data remains under community or partner ownership.
Security
Encryption, authentication, and audit logs so only authorized users see sensitive data.
Sovereignty Protocols
Clear rules for who can use data, for what, and with consent—no resale or repurposing without agreement.
APIs
Controlled interfaces for partners to integrate their own tools while respecting data governance.
Intelligence Layer
Analytics and insights for stewards and partners.
AI Analytics
Pattern recognition for herd health, movement, and ecological trends from field and historical data.
Predictive Models
Forecasts for vegetation, climate impact, and herd dynamics to support planning.
Dashboard
Visual tools for communities and partners to view their data and reports in one place.
Reporting
Exportable reports for funders, conservation audits, and CO2/climate reporting.
Partnership
We work with pilot communities, conservation organizations, and funding partners. Choose how you’d like to engage below.
Pilot Communities
Indigenous communities and land stewards can join as pilot partners: co-design the platform, own your data, and help shape sovereign technology for buffalo rematriation. Expression of interest form below.
Conservation Partners
Conservation and research organizations can explore data sharing and joint monitoring—with clear sovereignty and consent protocols. Contact us to discuss opportunities.
Funding Partners
Sponsorship tiers and grants help us build and deploy tools at no cost to pilot communities. We offer recognition, reporting, and alignment with climate and conservation goals.
Expression of Interest
Team
Indigenous-led and cross-disciplinary: technology, community, and research.
Matthew Sanspareil
Tech Lead
Leads platform development, data sovereignty architecture, and field-layer integration. Focus on building tools that communities can own and control.
Rune Hartgerink
Community Lead
Coordinates with pilot communities and partners, facilitates co-design, and ensures our technology serves stewardship and cultural priorities on the ground.
Mila Partnership
Mila is the world’s largest academic deep learning research institute, based in Montreal. As a key partner, Mila supports Buffalo In Motion with advanced AI research, technical expertise, and collaborative projects at the intersection of technology and ecological stewardship.
Jacob Seguin
AI / Research Lead (Mila)
Drives analytics, predictive models, and research partnerships—with a focus on scientific rigor and data that supports both climate and community goals. Jacob is a Mila researcher and a close collaborator with Buffalo In Motion.
Contact
Questions, partnership ideas, or media? Reach out below.