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THE AMERICAN BISON
Observe the world around you and feel the warmth and riches of the sunset as well as the sunrise. You can´t walk or run all the time. Sometimes you have to stop and look around you.
Some Native peoples belief is that the Bison is a symbol of a special love to everything that Mother Earth gives to her children. The Bison understands the meaning of life and the value of peace, and he appreciate things he already has, and he is able to see and honour spiritual things in different forms. All relations are holy, and the buffalo is open minded to everything on this earth.
Some Native peoples belief is that the Bison is a symbol of a special love to everything that Mother Earth gives to her children. The Bison understands the meaning of life and the value of peace, and he appreciate things he already has, and he is able to see and honour spiritual things in different forms. All relations are holy, and the buffalo is open minded to everything on this earth.
History of the Bison
It is North Americas largest mammal since the ice-age. Roughly there have been 30 to 70 millions of bison and they were spread nearly all over North America. There are 3 different bison: The Prairie bison, the Forest bison and the European Vicent. Everywhere where bison and Native people lived close to each other, the bison gave people not only food but everything they needed. Unregulated killing decreased the bison to be only about 1500 at the end of the 1800s. With protective laws it has increased for example in Yellowstone National Park. The National Bison refuge in Montana, together with individual breeders have helped the bison to reach about 350,000 animals today.
It is North Americas largest mammal since the ice-age. Roughly there have been 30 to 70 millions of bison and they were spread nearly all over North America. There are 3 different bison: The Prairie bison, the Forest bison and the European Vicent. Everywhere where bison and Native people lived close to each other, the bison gave people not only food but everything they needed. Unregulated killing decreased the bison to be only about 1500 at the end of the 1800s. With protective laws it has increased for example in Yellowstone National Park. The National Bison refuge in Montana, together with individual breeders have helped the bison to reach about 350,000 animals today.
Where is the Buffalo(Bison)today?
Private owners in USA - 244,000
Private owners in Canada - 100,000
Official herds in USA - 10,000
Official herds in Canada - 3,000
Herds owned by Native people - 7,000
Bison in zoos - 750
Bison outside USA and Canada - 300
"When the buffalo are all slaughtered, the wild horses all tamed, the secret corners of the forest heavy with the scent of many men, and the view of the ripe hills blotted by talking wires, where is the thicket? Where is the eagle? Gone.
And what is it to say farewell to the swift and the hunt, to the end of living and the beginning of survival? We might understand if we knew what is was that white man dreams, what he describes to his children on long winter nights, what visions he burns into their minds, so they will wish for tomorrow. But we are savages. The white man’s dreams are hidden from us!"
Chief Seattle to President Franklin Pierce 1855
And what is it to say farewell to the swift and the hunt, to the end of living and the beginning of survival? We might understand if we knew what is was that white man dreams, what he describes to his children on long winter nights, what visions he burns into their minds, so they will wish for tomorrow. But we are savages. The white man’s dreams are hidden from us!"
Chief Seattle to President Franklin Pierce 1855
Sitting Bull - about 1878
After escaping from USA with his people to avoid extermination, Sitting Bull spoke to the Canadian government: "We know that on the other side (of the Canadian border) the buffalo will not live for a long time. Why? Because the country there is poisoned with blood...a poison that kills all the buffalos or drive them away. It is strange that the whites are complaining that the indians are killing buffalos. We kill the buffalo as we kill other animals, for food and clothing and to warm up our homes. They kill the buffalo... for what?
Travel through your country. Look at the thousands of rotten cadavers on the plains. Your young men are killing just for fun. All they are taken from a dead buffalo is the tail or the head, or the horns. Maybe to show they have killed a buffalo. What is that? It is committing a theft! You call us savages. What are they? The buffalo has moved up north and we came up north to find it, and to leave a place where people are lying."
After escaping from USA with his people to avoid extermination, Sitting Bull spoke to the Canadian government: "We know that on the other side (of the Canadian border) the buffalo will not live for a long time. Why? Because the country there is poisoned with blood...a poison that kills all the buffalos or drive them away. It is strange that the whites are complaining that the indians are killing buffalos. We kill the buffalo as we kill other animals, for food and clothing and to warm up our homes. They kill the buffalo... for what?
Travel through your country. Look at the thousands of rotten cadavers on the plains. Your young men are killing just for fun. All they are taken from a dead buffalo is the tail or the head, or the horns. Maybe to show they have killed a buffalo. What is that? It is committing a theft! You call us savages. What are they? The buffalo has moved up north and we came up north to find it, and to leave a place where people are lying."
The buffalo was honoured by the indians as the source of life - food, clothing and a home.
Hanging meat to dry and preparing hides.
THE LEGEND OF THE WHITE BUFFALO CALF WOMAN
How the holy pipe came to the Sioux people.
One Day two Indian warriors came upon a beautiful woman while hunting. One of the warriors showed her no respect... and he was killed on a cloud of smoke...
And to the other warrior who thought she was holy, she softly said, "Do not fear me, for I will bring something to your people to help them live." The good warrior rushed back to his people's camp with this news. He told them to prepare for her arrival by thinking honorable thoughts and by performing good deeds.
Some days later, the people heard beautiful singing coming from the edge of their campsite. They stopped working and turned their eyes toward a truly beautiful sight: It was the young Indian woman the warrior had spoken of. But in person, she was far more beautiful than words could tell. She was dressed in white buckskins and her long dark hair glowed like hot, liquid stone. On her face, was a most peaceful countenance and her smile showered the people in warmth and happiness.
"I have something special for you," she whispered. And then she opened her bundle and revealed a sacred pipe adorned with 12 eagle feathers. The people stared in awe as she showed them how to pray with the pipe... and then she blessed the people.
She blessed the women saying, "it is the work of your hands and the fruit of your wombs that keep your people alive."
She looked upon the children, saying, "You are the greatest possession of any nation, you are the coming generations, the life of the people and the circle without end." Then she turned to the men and said, "Offer prayers to the Wakantanka (Great Spirit) and love your children and women." And to the leader of the people, this beautiful healer gave the most important instructions of all. Take care of the pipe," she said, "and call upon its healing powers in times of sickness and war."
Some days later, the people heard beautiful singing coming from the edge of their campsite. They stopped working and turned their eyes toward a truly beautiful sight: It was the young Indian woman the warrior had spoken of. But in person, she was far more beautiful than words could tell. She was dressed in white buckskins and her long dark hair glowed like hot, liquid stone. On her face, was a most peaceful countenance and her smile showered the people in warmth and happiness.
"I have something special for you," she whispered. And then she opened her bundle and revealed a sacred pipe adorned with 12 eagle feathers. The people stared in awe as she showed them how to pray with the pipe... and then she blessed the people.
She blessed the women saying, "it is the work of your hands and the fruit of your wombs that keep your people alive."
She looked upon the children, saying, "You are the greatest possession of any nation, you are the coming generations, the life of the people and the circle without end." Then she turned to the men and said, "Offer prayers to the Wakantanka (Great Spirit) and love your children and women." And to the leader of the people, this beautiful healer gave the most important instructions of all. Take care of the pipe," she said, "and call upon its healing powers in times of sickness and war."
The gentle healer blessed them with one last song......and as she sang something amazing began to happen......the young woman's shape began to change into a magnificent white buffalo calf! The astonished people watched as the proud and strong animal gave a loud snort and then galloped into the prairie's setting sun.
In August 1994 Miracle, The Holy White Buffalo Calf was born
on The Heider Farm ~ Janesville, Wisconsin
January 31, 2001
I, Chief Arvol Looking Horse, Nineteenth Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe, would like to send a message to the People about Miracle, the Sacred White Buffalo, in Janesville, Wisconsin.
We have a prophecy which I've heard since my early years of the age of twelve that someday the spirit of the White Buffalo Calf Woman would stand upon Mother Earth. At that time, great changes would happen to Mother Earth. In 1994, Miracle was the first white buffalo to be born. Now, eight have been born, signifying a great urgency!
It was prophesized that it will take many prayers to heal the global changes. And through a ceremony we had with Miracle, we were told that she would also go through changes, color changes, symbolizing humanity and the Global Community. She would be born white and then go through the changes of black, red, and yellow, finally returning to her original white robe through the power of prayer.
We ask the people of the Global Community to pray with us for global healing. In turn, when our prayers reach that strength toward positive change, we will also witness Miracle go through the changes of standing upon this Sacred Mother Earth as a White Buffalo once again, symbolizing peace and harmony.
In the Sacred Hoop of Life, where there is no beginning or ending, may Peace be with you all.
Mitakuye Oyasin, Chief Arvol Looking Horse, 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe
I, Chief Arvol Looking Horse, Nineteenth Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe, would like to send a message to the People about Miracle, the Sacred White Buffalo, in Janesville, Wisconsin.
We have a prophecy which I've heard since my early years of the age of twelve that someday the spirit of the White Buffalo Calf Woman would stand upon Mother Earth. At that time, great changes would happen to Mother Earth. In 1994, Miracle was the first white buffalo to be born. Now, eight have been born, signifying a great urgency!
It was prophesized that it will take many prayers to heal the global changes. And through a ceremony we had with Miracle, we were told that she would also go through changes, color changes, symbolizing humanity and the Global Community. She would be born white and then go through the changes of black, red, and yellow, finally returning to her original white robe through the power of prayer.
We ask the people of the Global Community to pray with us for global healing. In turn, when our prayers reach that strength toward positive change, we will also witness Miracle go through the changes of standing upon this Sacred Mother Earth as a White Buffalo once again, symbolizing peace and harmony.
In the Sacred Hoop of Life, where there is no beginning or ending, may Peace be with you all.
Mitakuye Oyasin, Chief Arvol Looking Horse, 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe
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