Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Monday, August 06, 2007
White buffalo: Prophetic or just peculiar?
VIROQUA, Wis. — A white buffalo calf born June 30 could be another sign of great change, say some American Indians.
“With all that is happening in the world it is a very important message,” said Arvol Looking Horse of Green Grass, S.D., who has seen an increase in the number of white animals born since 1994. “We are supposed to be the voice for the animal nation. The only way to show us is through the appearance of all the white animals. Grandmother Earth has a fever.”
But for its owners, Melvin Young and his son, Mike, of Viroqua, the white male buffalo calf raises a lot of questions.
Mike said that when he looked across the field and saw the newborn calf in the pasture, there was no mistaking its white coat.
Since then the Youngs have researched the significance of the white buffalo and are not sure what they want to do with the animal. But they know it could have a lot of meaning to American Indians.
In 1994, a white buffalo calf was born near Janesville and over the next 10 years, tens of thousands of American Indians traveled to Janesville to see “Miracle,” the white buffalo.
Some American Indians believe the birth of a white buffalo is the fulfillment of a prophesy that has been handed down through 19 generations That prophesy says the birth of a white buffalo calf signifies a period of great change.
“We had one person tell us to sell it and make some money from it,” Melvin said. “We aren’t sure what we want to do yet.”
Mike and Melvin haven’t even officially decided on a name for the buffalo, yet.
“I have been calling him ‘Dakota,’” Mike said.
According to the Sioux tribe prophesy, the White Buffalo Calf Woman appeared to two hunters at a time of great need many generations ago when all of the animals had disappeared. Many tribes had gathered together, and she first appeared to two hunters who had been sent out to find food. One of the hunters was in awe and was respectful and the other desired her body. The hunter that was not respectful was struck by lightning and burned up.
The other hunter went back to his people announcing her arrival. She eventually appeared to the people and revealed to them a sacred pipe that she was carrying in a bundle. That bundle has been handed down for 19 generations and Arvol Looking Horse, is the nineteenth keeper of that bundle. His grandmother chose him to be the keeper of the bundle when he was 12.
Looking Horse said that since the birth of “Miracle” in 1994, there has been a white buffalo calf born every year, and he sees this as both a “blessing and a warning.”
“The prophesy says the next time I stand on earth I will appear as a white buffalo calf with a black nose and eyes and hooves,” said Looking Horse. “And there will be great changes.“
Looking Horse said the last time the White Buffalo Calf Woman appeared, it was a time when people had abused everything on earth and all the game had disappeared. Looking Horse said the birth of all the white animals, including buffalo, since 1994 is very significant to the prophesy and his people.
Looking Horse said global warming and violence in the world are signs that man is harming the earth. He said he has tried to share the prophesy and worked toward telling the world about what it says. Looking Horse and his daughter went to Baghdad, Iraq, in 1990 to perform a “Wiping of the Tears” ceremony that signifies the Wounded Knee Massacre. Looking Horse went there to try to make sure there are no more incidents like Wounded Knee.
“Three years ago we went back to Baghdad,” said Looking Horse. “This is the year that our prayers will bring peace.”
Looking Horse said his ceremonies are based on “fours” and this March will be the fourth year since he was in Baghdad.
Looking Horse said the buffalo calf born near Viroqua will draw some attention because of its significance to his people, and he hopes it will not be used to make a profit. All of the white animals should be seen as a sign to all people and not be used for profit, said Looking Horse.
Looking Horse said he has been to other countries, and there is an increase in the number of white animals, including in South Africa, where there have been white tigers born. There have also been white whales, moose, a white (black) bear, an alligator, deer and turtles.
Looking Horse said he is concerned that people who learn of this calf could try to take it and harm it.
“Everyone who is a spiritual person should be worried about them,” said Looking Horse. “We need protection for them because right now there isn’t any protection for them. We need to make sure they are not abused.”
This white calf has a famous grandpa
In what some might consider a strange twist, it turns out Dakota the white buffalo calf is the grandson of the famous buffalo Cody, best known from “Dances With Wolves.”
In the movie, Cody the buffalo is shot by Costner when Cody charges a Sioux boy, falling just short of trampling him. Cody was owned by Mike Fogel of Houston, Minn., and one of Cody’s sons (Dakota’s father) was sold to Melvin Young and his son, Mike, of Viroqua, a few years ago.
Fogel said he would love to have a chance to buy the calf back. Fogel said he has been breeding buffalo for 30 years and found it interesting that someone who just got into buffalo a few years ago would get a white one from some of his stock.
Fogel said the bloodlines of his herd came out of the National Bison Range in Montana. It’s the same herd that produced a white buffalo in 1959 known as “Big Medicine.”
Asked about the increased attention this could bring to the Youngs, Fogel said they will have to do what they feel is right for them. Fogel said when he had Cody, he was approached by Disney World and offered as much as $200,000 for him. In the end, Fogel decided not to sell him.
“You know, you start to think about the money and the things you can do and this and that,” Fogel said. “Then I realized it wasn’t the money that was important, it was him.”
Fogel kept Cody until he died in 2006 at age 19, and buried him on his farm. He now has Cody II, who will be in Viroqua for Wild West Days in a few weeks.
Tim Hundt is a reporter for the Vernon County Broadcaster.
All stories copyright 2000 - 2006 La Crosse Tribune and other attributed sources.