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.
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...
;-)
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.