Tailyr Irvine will document the change of stewardship of public lands — many of which were taken illegally — back to tribal nations.

"Land Back, a movement pushing to shift the stewardship of public lands — many of which were taken illegally — back to tribes, is gaining traction in the United States," explains Tailyr Irvine. "The Bears Ears National Monument in Utah is one of the most popular in discussion. I want to document what happens to wildlife and conservation when we return land to the original stewards by following the bison herd at the National Bison Range on the Flathead Reservation in Montana."

“Tailyr Irvine’s proposal is not only an important national story, it very well may lead to larger understanding in how members of society understand tribal rights internationally,” says Judge David Barreda, Senior Photo Editor, National Geographic. “As Salish and Kootenai herself, Irvine’s intimate understanding of the community and its nuances will allow her to pursue this story in more than a simple visual documentation. Irvine’s existing body of work details such subtle and complex stories, I fully expect this project, in her hands, to bring her to new heights in storytelling and a more wide-spread understanding of the real-world experiences of her community.”