Rare white buffalo birth

AP ^ | Thu Sep 14 | EMILY FREDRIX

[Alex1977]

MILWAUKEE - A farm in Wisconsin is quickly becoming hallowed ground for American Indians with the birth of its third white buffalo, an animal considered sacred by many tribes for its potential to bring good fortune and peace.

"We took one look at it and I can't repeat what I thought but I thought, 'Here we go again,'" said owner Dave Heider.

Thousands of people stopped by Heider's Janesville farm after the birth of the first white buffalo, a female named Miracle who died in 2004 at the age of 10. The second was born in 1996 but died after three days.

Heider said he discovered the third white buffalo, a newborn male, after a storm in late August.

Over the weekend, about 50 American Indians held a drum ceremony to honor the calf, which has yet to be named, he said.

Floyd "Looks for Buffalo" Hand, a medicine man in the Oglala Sioux Tribe in Pine Ridge, S.D., said it was fate that the white buffaloes chose one farm, which will likely become a focal point for visitors, who make offerings such as tobacco and dream catchers in the hopes of earning good fortune and peace.

"That's destiny," he said. "The message was only choose one person."

The white buffalo is particularly sacred to the Cheyenne, Sioux and other nomadic tribes of the Northern Plains that once relied on the buffalo for subsistence.

According to a version of the legend, a white buffalo, disguised as a woman wearing white hides, appeared to two men. One treated her with respect, and the other didn't. She turned the disrespectful man into a pile of bones, and gave the respectful one a pipe and taught his people rituals and music. She transformed into a female white buffalo calf and promised to return again.

That this latest birth is a male doesn't make it any less significant in American Indian prophecies, which say that such an animal will reunite all the races of man and restore balance to the world, Hand said. He said the buffalo's coat will change from white to black, red and yellow, the colors of the various races of man, before turning brown again.

The birth of a white male buffalo means men need to take responsibility for their families and the future of the tribe, Hand said.

The odds of a white buffalo are at least 1 in a million, said Jim Matheson, assistant director of the National Bison Association. Buffalo in general have been rare for years, thought their numbers are increasing, with some 250,000 now in the U.S., he said.

Many people, like Heider, choose to raise the animals for their meat, which is considered a healthier, low-fat alternative to beef.

Gary Adamson, 65, of Elkhorn, who is of Choctaw and Cherokee heritage, said tribal elders will help interpret the animal's significance.

"There are still things that need to be done, and Miracle's task wasn't quite done yet, and we feel there's something there," he said.

[Alex1977]

[Alex1977]

It is the 3rd rare white buffalo born.

[FlingWingFlyer]

There's a farm north of Flagstaff,AZ that raises these things. There's not a bunch of Native American hocus pocus like the ones in Wisconsin and they charge a fee to take pictures of them.

[kenth]

Gary Adamson, 65, of Elkhorn, who is of Choctaw and Cherokee heritage, said tribal elders will help interpret the animal's significance.

What a load. Though, I am surprised he added Choctaw into the mix. They're usually only Cherokee. I could probably find out pretty quickly what the 'elders' think of this buffalo and Mr. Adamson.

Most tribes it wouldn't mean a whole lot, other than being an interesting looking animal before being eaten.

[maine-iac7]

I could probably find out pretty quickly what the 'elders' think of this buffalo and Mr. Adamson.

Well, why don't you just do that, and at the same time give us chapter and verse of why we should believe your opinion, which sounds a bit offish...

It's been written and spoken for decades about the Native American legends of the White Buffalo - and the prophecies

[battlegearboat]

Well, aren't you the special one.

[Dallas59]

What a great name for a Casino! "White Buffalo".

[kenth]

Every time something like this happens, there is always one the press seeks out who will reinforce their stereotype of the backwards nature worshipping Indian. They will almost invariably be Cherokee, and always mention "elders" to reinforce said stereotype; to promote the idea of the Native American religion system, as if there is only one.

Being a member of the Choctaw Nation, most of us aren't holding our breaths waiting for the third coming of the calf.

[Nathan Zachary]

" It's been written and spoken for decades about the Native American legends of the White Buffalo - and the prophecies"

Now that's what I'd say is a load of B.S. There hasn't been wild buffalo for 200 years, so where did decades of these "legends" come from. Oh I know, from this new age rebirth of Indian legends and "prophacy" (which never before existed) Besides, there were never plains buffalo there, just woodland bison- not quite the same animal.

[Nathan Zachary]

"Every time something like this happens, there is always one the press seeks out who will reinforce their stereotype of the backwards nature worshipping Indian. They will almost invariably be Cherokee, and always mention "elders" to reinforce said stereotype; to promote the idea of the Native American religion system, as if there is only one."

At least someone isn't afraid to say it like it is. There isn't any such thing as a "nature worshipping indian" around here either, unless they can get $50 bucks for a deer they pouch. Then they worship the deer, as long as the buzz from the crack lasts....

[Rte66]

I'm sure my fellow Chickasaws don't care about this white buffalo much, either, cousin. It's mostly a Plains tribal ceremony.

But, I do! I have been fascinated by the white buffalo visions from childhood onward and would've loved to have gone to see Miracle, but just was too busy all the time. I have a Breyer mini-version of her, though. Wonder what they'll name this one.

I like to hear the stories and the imaginative interpretations. Maybe Miracle didn't usher in a new millennium of peace, but they do talk about Christ in their revelations of the white buffalo symbolism and don't make it a pagan "buffalo goddess" thing.

A legend is just that, a legend. The Legend of the White Buffalo gives praise to the Creator and represents hope. It's all good.

[Nathan Zachary]

"I like to hear the stories and the imaginative interpretations."

Then you should come to the bar on welfare day. If you are real lucky, you can look through the new shipment of crafts made by Philipino's in the city for the tourist trap... er.. trading post on the reserve...

[Rte66]

Which one?

[wannabegeek]

I didn't know white buffalo is rare in the United States.  I'd seen many around the Philippine islands they parade them during festivals, They called white carabao.

[kenth]

;-)

These stories just irk me sometimes, especially when they (the media) get the one guy who wants his name in the paper being named some sort of pseudo spokesperson for all Indians.

I'm Christian, both of my grandfathers were Methodist ministers who grew up in Christian households themselves, and most Choctaws I'm related to or know are Christian. I went to high school in Ada, OK, so know the Chickasaws too, and now live not to far from the Cherokee nation in NC. Most I've met are Christian and their families have been for a long time. Yet the leftist media, hollywood and too many who just don't know any better are more than willing to believe that all tribes have the same religious system, and that it is one of nature worship. We didn't need a buffalo to lead us to Christ. 8-)

As for legends, history and traditions of the tribes, I've got no problem with it. I guess what it boils down to is the attempted leftist usurpation and conglomeration of various tribes' beliefs and trying to pawn them off as a singular Native American religion.

[Rte66]

Isn't that a water buffalo? Different animal. Most of them *are* white, aren't they? They don't sweat, like Brahmas.

[Rte66]

Oh, I get ya. We Civilized persons of the tribal persuasion have not done very good PR for ourselves, to separate us from the Plains heathens. LOL.

I'm almost *series* about that.

[Heatseeker]

Anybody checked with Ted Nugent for his reaction?

[Rte66]

I am so glad you asked that! While looking for *his* lyrics, I found the lyrics to a song I've been looking for since 1994! Thanks to you!

First, the last of Ted:

" ... The great white buffalo,baby.
The Great White Buffalo....
Look out,here he comes.
He's doin'all right. ..."

And next, the ones I remembered hearing 51 years ago! Audio at the link, which I can't play on my puter, no sound - hope it's good.

http://thinhippo.com/steve/whitebuffalo.html

The White Buffalo

I have heard many stories from an old indian friend and this is my favorite even though it has no end

There's an old indian legend I was told long ago,

it's about a special valley and the White Buffalo.

Echo, Chorus: Buffalo ... Buffalo ... Buffalo

There are few who have seen him though they've looked high and low

for the trail is long and winding to the white Buffalo

Echo: Buffalo ... Buffalo ... Buffalo

The legend says you'll find him if your heart is brave and true and you treat all men as brothers no matter what they do

I have searched for that valley since I started to grow,

I won't stop until I find it and the white Buffalo.

Echo: Buffalo ... Buffalo ... Buffalo

the legend says you'll find him if your heart is brave and true and you treat all men as brothers no matter what they do

I have searched for that valley since I started to grow,

I won't stop until I find it and the white Buffalo.

For I know it's right to find the White Buffalo!

Repeat, in chorus: White Buffalo ... Buffalo ... Buffalo ... Buffalo!

Composer: Bergman

>>>I first heard this on a Rin Tin Tin episode in 1955. It was memorable and quite haunting, sung by the lieutenant at Fort Apache who had "adopted" Rusty and Rinty, Rip Masters.

There was a vision of a real buffalo (bison) which appeared white on a B/W TV, like *magic,* of course, standing up on a high rock promontory, alone and in half-silhouette. It was just beautiful. Once in a while, it would repeat and it was by far my favorite episode.

This was one of my first "50s nostalgia" questions I asked when I first got online and I never got an answer. Now there are several references to it!

Mostly, I remember that the friendly Indians told Rusty only the pure of heart could see the White Buffalo - I was only 5, so it made quite an impression on me - looking for that critter all my days, lol.

"The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin"
The White Buffalo (1955)
Episode 29 of 146
Original Air Date: 14 October 1955 (Season 2, Episode 6)
TV Series: "The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin" (1954)