Article Summary –
A rare white buffalo calf, named Wakan Gli (“Return Sacred”) in Lakota, was born in Yellowstone National Park’s Lamar Valley, prompting a significant Native American religious ceremony celebrating its birth with hundreds of attendees. This event is viewed by several tribes as the fulfillment of a sacred prophecy and a call to care for the Earth, with the white buffalo symbolizing both a blessing and a warning regarding the natural environment. Although sighted by few and not seen since, the calf’s birth holds deep cultural and spiritual significance, rooted in Lakota legend of the White Buffalo Calf Woman who promised to return during hard times.
Rare White Buffalo Calf Named ‘Wakan Gli’ in Sacred Ceremony
WEST YELLOWSTONE, Mont. (AP) — Near a picturesque lake outside Yellowstone National Park, hundreds celebrated as a Native American leader revealed the name on a painted hide for a rare white buffalo born earlier this month: Wakan Gli, meaning “Return Sacred” in Lakota.
This event highlighted a Native American religious ceremony featuring dancing, drumming, and singing. It retold the story of a mysterious woman who brought reassurance during challenging times.
Earlier this month, the white buffalo calf was born in Yellowstone’s lush Lamar Valley, where bison graze by the hundreds, reminiscent of the old American West.
To several tribes who revere American bison, the calf’s appearance fulfills sacred prophecy and signals a need to better care for the Earth.
“It’s up to each of you to make it happen for our children’s future. We must bring back good energy,” said Chief Arvol Looking Horse at the ceremonies near Yellowstone.
Looking Horse, a spiritual leader of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota Oyate, describes the white buffalo calf’s appearance as both a blessing and warning about the environment.
Approximately 500 people, including representatives from the Colville Tribes, Lakota, Sioux, Northern Arapaho, and Shoshone-Bannock, attended the ceremonies at Buffalo Field Campaign headquarters. The group works with tribes to protect and honor wild buffalo.
Few people saw the calf after its June 4 birth. Each week without a sighting raises suspicions it may have fallen victim to predators, river currents, or illness. Nevertheless, its birth is an auspicious sign with roots in Lakota legend.
About 2,000 years ago, in hard times, White Buffalo Calf Woman appeared, presenting a pipe and bundle to bring buffalo for food. She turned into a white buffalo calf and promised to return when times were tough.
“This is a momentous time in our history with this white buffalo calf born,” said Looking Horse.
White calves are rare, especially in nature. None are known in Yellowstone’s wild reserves in recent memory.
This calf’s birth followed a severe winter in 2023 that drove thousands of Yellowstone buffalo to lower elevations, resulting in over 1,500 being killed, sent to slaughter, or transferred to tribes.
Jordan Creech, a guide in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, captured images of the white buffalo calf. He saw the calf shortly after birth, calling it amazing timing.
Yellowstone park officials have no record of a white bison birth before. They have been unable to confirm this month’s birth.
Erin Braaten, who also captured images of the calf, couldn’t find it afterward.
“We know it was born. It’s like a miracle to us,” said Looking Horse.
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