In a remarkable event that has captivated the hearts and minds of many, a rare white buffalo calf was born earlier this month in Yellowstone National Park. This extraordinary birth has not only drawn attention due to the rarity of the animal but also because of its profound spiritual significance to Native American tribes. The calf has been named Wakan Gli, which translates to “Return Sacred” in Lakota, a name that carries deep cultural and prophetic meaning.
The birth of Wakan Gli was celebrated with a sacred naming ceremony held at the Buffalo Field Campaign headquarters in West Yellowstone, Montana. The event was attended by an estimated 500 people, including representatives from various tribes such as the Colville Tribes in Washington, Lakota and Sioux in the Dakotas, Northern Arapaho in Wyoming, and Shoshone-Bannock in Idaho. The ceremony featured traditional dancing, drumming, singing, and the retelling of the White Buffalo Calf Woman prophecy, a legend that has been passed down through generations.
Chief Arvol Looking Horse, a spiritual leader of the Lakota people and the 19th Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe and Bundle, led the ceremony. He spoke about the significance of the white buffalo calf’s birth, describing it as both a blessing and a warning. According to the prophecy, the appearance of a white buffalo calf signifies a time of great change and calls for unity and cooperation among people to protect the Earth.
“It’s up to each and every one of you to make it happen for the future of our children. We must come together and bring that good energy back,” Chief Looking Horse said during the ceremony. He emphasized the need for collective action to ensure the well-being of Mother Earth, also known as Unci Maka in Lakota.
The white buffalo calf’s birth is seen as a fulfillment of a sacred prophecy that dates back over 2,000 years. According to the legend, during a time of great hardship when food was scarce and bison were disappearing, a mysterious woman known as White Buffalo Calf Woman appeared. She presented a sacred pipe and a bundle to a tribal member, teaching them how to pray and promising that the pipe could be used to bring buffalo back to the area for sustenance. As she left, she transformed into a white buffalo calf, promising to return when times were hard again.
The birth of Wakan Gli has been described as a miraculous event, especially given the severe winter of 2023, which drove thousands of Yellowstone buffalo to lower elevations. More than 1,500 buffalo were killed, sent to slaughter, or transferred to tribes seeking to reclaim stewardship over the animal. The appearance of the white buffalo calf is seen as a sign of hope and a call to action to protect the environment and the animals that inhabit it.
Photographer Erin Braaten of Dancing Aspens Photography was one of the few individuals who managed to capture images of the rare calf. She spotted the white buffalo while on a family vacation in Yellowstone and initially mistook it for a coyote. Upon closer inspection through her camera lens, she realized it was a white bison calf. “Capturing this photo is like one of those things you kind of daydream about and think, ‘Oh, that would be kind of cool to take a picture of,’ but never really expected to get a chance,” Braaten told Fox News Digital.
Despite the excitement surrounding the calf’s birth, it has not been seen since the beginning of June. Yellowstone officials have been monitoring the situation but have yet to confirm the calf’s presence. “Yellowstone is aware of and has been watching the social media posts and media stories about the sightings. We cannot confirm at this time if a white bison calf was born in the park,” a Yellowstone official stated.
The significance of a white buffalo calf extends beyond its rarity. For many Native American tribes, the birth of such an animal is a deeply spiritual event that carries messages of hope, renewal, and the need for environmental stewardship. The white buffalo is revered as a symbol of peace and harmony, and its appearance is believed to herald better times ahead.
The ceremony held in honor of Wakan Gli’s birth was a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of preserving the natural world. As Chief Looking Horse poignantly stated, “When she [Mother Earth] dies, we die.” The event served as a call to action for all people to come together and work towards a sustainable future for the planet and its inhabitants.
In conclusion, the birth of the extremely rare white buffalo calf, Wakan Gli, in Yellowstone National Park is a momentous event that has brought together Native American tribes and the broader community in celebration and reflection. It serves as a powerful symbol of hope and a reminder of the urgent need to protect the Earth and its creatures. As the prophecy suggests, the appearance of the white buffalo calf is both a blessing and a warning, urging humanity to unite and take action for the future of our planet.
Source: Associated Press, Fox News Digital
