The birth of a rare white bison in Yellowstone National Park has attracted attention because of its connection to a Native American prophecy.
Montana photographer Erin Braaten captured the photo of the white bison while traveling to the national park with her family on June 4. According to Fox Television, the sighting took place in the Lamar Valley area of the park.
At first, Braaten thought the white shape he saw was a coyote.
“I was stuck in traffic for a few minutes because there was a bison crossing the river and the road, so I decided to get my camera to watch the ‘coyote’, only to discover it wasn’t a coyote, but a white bison calf,” she told Fox.
“We were all in awe of this rare and unique newborn calf, and I was just trying to enjoy the moment,” she added. “I feel so blessed to have been able to see something so special and to be able to share it with my family and later others.”
What is the Lakota prophecy?
White bison hold important spiritual significance to some Native American tribes: According to Lakota prophecy, the birth of a white bison means good times are on the way, The Associated Press reported.
According to the National Park Service, legend has it that during a time of famine, a woman in the shape of a white buffalo calf appeared to the Lakota, gifted them with a sacred pipe and taught them how to perform seven sacred prayers. When she left, she was transformed into a white buffalo, and the famine ended.
Today, the white bison symbolizes that the tribe’s prayers are being answered.
“And one day, when times are hard again, I will come back and stand on the earth as a white buffalo calf with a black nose, black eyes and black hooves,” Chief Albor Looking Horse, spiritual leader of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota Oyate tribes, told The Associated Press.
Looking Horse stressed that the birth of the calf is a call to action for greater protection of nature and wildlife.
“The birth of this calf is both a blessing and a warning – we must do more,” Looking Horse added.
Looking Horse said a naming ceremony was held for the calf.
“A ceremony to celebrate the calf’s birth is planned for June 26 at Buffalo Field Campaign Headquarters in West Yellowstone,” the Associated Press reported.
What does a white buffalo look like?
According to the Associated Press, white bison are not unheard of, but they usually arise in ranch herds as a result of crossbreeding with cattle.
According to the article, the birth of a wild white bison in Yellowstone National Park is extremely rare and may be the first time it has been seen.
The sighting was widely reported, but no new sightings have been reported since, leading some to speculate that the calf may have died while crossing the Lamar River or from other causes.
Whatever the calf’s fate, its birth marks a significant moment for the Lakota.
“The fact is, we all know it happened and it’s like a miracle to us,” Looking Horse told The Associated Press.
