North American Indian Ministries

Educational Resources

	September, 2006 3rd rare white buffalo born on Wis. farm By EMILY FREDRIX, Associated Press WriterThu Sep 14, 4:11 PM ET A farm in Wisconsin is quickly becoming hallowed ground for American Indians with the birth of its third white buffalo, an animal considered sacred by many tribes for its potential to bring good fortune and peace. "We took one look at it and I can't repeat what I thought but I thought, 'Here we go again,'" said owner Dave Heider. Thousands of people stopped by Heider's Janesville farm after the birth of the first white buffalo, a female named Miracle who died in 2004 at the age of 10. The second was born in 1996 but died after three days. Heider said he discovered the third white buffalo, a newborn male, after a storm in late August. Over the weekend, about 50 American Indians held a drum ceremony to honor the calf, which has yet to be named, he said. Floyd "Looks for Buffalo" Hand, a medicine man in the Oglala Sioux Tribe in Pine Ridge, S.D., said it was fate that the white buffaloes chose one farm, which will likely become a focal point for visitors, who make offerings such as tobacco and dream catchers in the hopes of earning good fortune and peace. "That's destiny," he said. "The message was only choose one person." The white buffalo is particularly sacred to the Cheyenne, Sioux and other nomadic tribes of the Northern Plains that once relied on the buffalo for subsistence. According to a version of the legend, a white buffalo, disguised as a woman wearing white hides, appeared to two men. One treated her with respect, and the other didn't. She turned the disrespectful man into a pile of bones, and gave the respectful one a pipe and taught his people rituals and music. She transformed into a female white buffalo calf and promised to return again. That this latest birth is a male doesn't make it any less significant in American Indian prophecies, which say that such an animal will reunite all the races of man and restore balance to the world, Hand said. He said the buffalo's coat will change from white to black, red and yellow, the colors of the various races of man, before turning brown again. The birth of a white male buffalo means men need to take responsibility for their families and the future of the tribe, Hand said. The odds of a white buffalo are at least 1 in a million, said Jim Matheson, assistant director of the National Bison Association. Buffalo in general have been rare for years, thought their numbers are increasing, with some 250,000 now in the U.S., he said. Many people, like Heider, choose to raise the animals for their meat, which is considered a healthier, low-fat alternative to beef. Gary Adamson, 65, of Elkhorn, who is of Choctaw and Cherokee heritage, said tribal elders will help interpret the animal's significance. "There are still things that need to be done, and Miracle's task wasn't quite done yet, and we feel there's something there," he said.
	The eagle, buffalo and wolf The eagle is a highly important sacred animal in Plains belief. It is considered the "chief of all creatures of the air, and the guardian protecting people from evil." It is admired for courage, swiftness, and strength. The buffalo was the very source of life for the Plains tribes. It symbolizes the "necessities without which life would be hazardous and wearisome." Wolves are givers of great wisdom.
	Indian Fry Bread When Indians were moved onto reservations, they were suddenly without their traditional foods such as wild game and corn. They were given rations of flour, salt and lard. Fry bread was created. It is synonymous with powwows and western fairs. It is the official state bread of South Dakota. An Indian taco is a large piece of fry bread piled high with taco fillings. Small pieces are enjoyed with a meal in place of a slice of bread. Wojapi is a fruit sauce of blackberries or blueberries in which pieces of fry bread are dipped in as a dessert. Fry bread is delicious! But is it good for you? Is it good for the Indians who eat it regularly? According to an article written in August, 2005, it can be a definite health hazard. Type 2 diabetes is prevalent among Indians, almost double what it is among the general population. Fry bread is not solely responsible, but at 700 calories for a plate size piece with 27 grams of fat, it can certainly be considered a contributor to health problems. However, it is deeply imbedded in the culture and it's hard to imagine that it ever will not be.
	The Journey of Crazy Horse: A Lakota HIstory This book is an excellent biography of Crazy Horse as told by an Indian; a story passed down through the generations. Having grown up thinking Crazy Horse was a somewhat vicious Indian warrior, this book was very enlightening. It gives insight into the real Crazy Horse; the somewhat shy individual who seemed not to particularly want the role he was destined to assume. You get to know Crazy Horse through the stages of his life; a boy, young man, husband, father and leader. He was a man who wanted to live free. Sherry Lucas
	One Church, Many Tribes by Richard Twiss This is recommended reading, especially for those considering partricipating in a mission trip to Rosebud. Richard Twiss, was born on Rosebud Reservation, but moved away as a child. In this book we learn about the culture of First Nations People and how all people, although culturally different, can worship the same God and minister to each other.
	Black Elk Speaks as told through John G. Neihardt This is a book about a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux.
	Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown This book is rich in history about the American Indians and the struggle to save their people and their lands. It is suggested that NAIM team members read it, if only the text about the Sioux Indians.
	On the Rez by Ian Frazier This book is about the friendship of the author and an Oglala Sioux on Pine Ridge Reservation in Southwestern South Dakota.
	Thunderheart -- Movie
	Powwow Highway - Movie
	Smoke Signals -- Movie
	Lakota Woman - Movie
	Skins -- Movie