White Buffalo

The story of the white buffalo at Sioux Valley Dakota Nation began in 2009. The community was gifted a white and brown buffalo from the Assiniboine Park Zoo. The calves were born the year before at the zoo. Several First Nations communities were considered to receive the young buffalos, but it was Sioux Valley that was selected. The gift of two buffalos, one being white was a gesture of friendship, recognizing the significance of the animal to the First Nations people.  

A white buffalo is rare and are born one in one million. They are also sacred. The white buffalo is rooted in the spiritual beliefs of many Native American communities. They are considered a symbol of hope, peace, purity, and abundance. It is believed they have great spiritual power, in that the white buffalo is connected to the Creator and the natural world. 

It took six years before the community welcomed the first white buffalo. This calf was the third white buffalo in Manitoba. A white buffalo is born tan, with white ears and tail. I was so captivated with what was happening with this buffalo herd. As luck would have it, I have managed to develop a friendship with the family that care for the herd. There are now several male white buffalos, and as a result there are more white calves being born to brown mothers. The herd is just over 100, after this year's calving season, the white buffalo in the herd has grown to 15. 

A buffalo's life span is 20 years in the wild. They can live much longer in captivity. The white animals are much bigger and thicker than the brown buffalo in the herd. As a buffalo ages, it is a practice to butcher them and give the meat to the elders. The original white buffalo will continue to live in the herd until she dies of natural causes.  

There is no fanfare in this pasture. It is not marked how to get there; it is just a simple pasture with 15 rare white buffalos in it. When you visit the pasture, there is a paddock where the buffalo are often seen eating and drinking. It is a familiar area for community members to come and pray. Elders of the Dakota Nation consider the white buffalo a strong spiritual and cultural symbol. I was told, they pray with the buffalo for relatives who are sick or who are struggling in life with addictions. The buffalo are curious and will often come and check out the visitors. Tobacco offerings wrapped in colorful ribbons and pouches line the fence along its enclosure.  

I like to go to see the white buffalo. I especially like it in spring once the babies start to arrive. I find the traditions and beliefs that surround the white buffalo powerful. How symbolic for the members of the community to be able to go and be with these majestic animals and feel they are closer to their Creator. When I stand there and look at the animals, I have such a sense of calmness come over me. I have to say, the buffalo are magnificent to see, and their story is equally as impressive.