Where the Buffalo may roam…
Posted by msterilinn on May 6, 2008
When I think of the American plains, I imagine the sweet grasses blowing in the wind, and the wild Buffalo roaming with their herds. The Buffalo are most Sacred to my people. They were placed here for some very good reasons, as they spread the seeds and fertilized the land. Once they provided food and materials for shelter and clothing for the peoples of this land. It is amazing to imagine how brilliantly the Creator of this world set things in motion so very long ago. From the tiniest microbe to the mightiest predator. Each living creature having a purpose, and given the chance to evolve in a natural way. To think that the beings who believe themselves most intelligent cannot see the widsom behind this, and are the ones destroying the balance so painstakingly created to maintain Life on this Earth. Such folly can be credited to a foolish, yet supposed intelligent race, when we should be providing good stewardship in caring for the environment. Nature knows how to do her job… why is it so hard to do ours?
Alas, it tears at my heart when I try to find good news to pass along to my readers. I mean, shouldn’t there be a Balance of as much good as bad? I know the saying goes ‘it is always darkest before the dawn’, yet must so much be destroyed before the Balance can be restored? Our songs and traditions speak of such a Beautiful and Bountiful land, yet when we look around, where has the bounty gone? And what are we doing to all the Beautiful places? What legacy are we truly leaving our children and future generations? Wow… I am feeling depressed about this walk, and that is not good. I am usually so optimistic in feeling I can make a difference, and days like this cause me to feel so helpless and small in the scheme of things. How can one small being such as myself even hope to make a dent in this daunting task?
Well then, I suppose I must pass along the news which prompted my sadness in this moment…
For years, BioGems Defenders have fought to halt the U.S. government’s systematic capture and killing of Yellowstone’s bison — better known as American buffalo — as they roam beyond the boundaries of the park in search of food during the harsh winter months. But this year the rate of slaughter has reached unprecedented proportions with more than 1,400 buffalo dead — fully 30 percent of the buffalo population. In response, the NRDC Action Fund, our partner organization, is mobilizing a massive outcry to stop the killing.
» Tell the National Park Service to stop the slaughter of Yellowstone’s wild buffalo.
I would like to think we can make a difference if we put our minds to it and work together. I truly would like to spread some good news in letting people know there is a safe, bountiful and beautiful place in which the remaining Buffalo may roam and grow plentiful once again.
Sacred Buffalo.. Releasing the Spirits Ceremony
Posted by msterilinn on Apr 4, 2008
Please open your hearts and add your prayers. Mark your Calenders for this Date…
April 15th, 2008 - Noon Gardiner, MT
Simultaneous Prayer Vigils are encouraged to pray for the 1,302 (+) buffalo that have been carelessly slaughtered this winter alone and the thousands more slaughtered in the past decade since the last Releasing the Spirit Ceremony held back in 1997!
From Chief Arvol Looking Horse
Mi-ta-ku-ye (my relatives),
I have been called upon to perform the Spirit Releasing ceremony for the thousands of buffalo that have lost their lives in the last decade, in the mountains of the Yellowstone River country.
Many, many generations ago, our relatives, the Pte O-ya-te (Buffalo People) came up from Wind Cave in the Black Hills; the heart of Un-ci Ma-ka (Grandmother Earth) and prepared the way for our existence. From that time forward, they gave of themselves for our survival, as long as we respected their gift. They taught us how to live in an honorable and respectful way by example and through the teachings of the White Buffalo Calf Woman. She brought the Sacred Canupa (Pipe) to remind us of our responsibilities and also provided us with the knowledge of the sacred rites that are necessary to discipline ourselves.
From the Buffalo Nation, our ancestors learned to have an honorable relationship of being connected with Un-ci Ma-ka; this “way of life” that identifies us of who we are as an O-ya-te (a People), with all it’s sacred teachings. They understood the gifts from Un-ci and carefully lived in harmony with her wellbeing. For that reason, we hold them to be sacred. We co-existed in a good way until we were nearly destroyed. Ob un-ka-so-ta-pi tka. The sacred Buffalo Nation in these mountains are the survivors of that natural way of life. We are culturally and spiritually indebted to them and we still need their guidance, to remind us how to be at peace and harmony with Un-ci Ma-ka.
Let it be known that Yellowstone territory; the habitat of the last wild Buffalo Nation - is sacred ground, it has been a SACRED SITE for the First Nation’s people, and for all humanity who hold deep respect for all Creation. The Buffalo Nation has confirmed this fact; by where they have ended up, continuing to survive in their natural migration, struggling to live in a peaceful manner. Our ancestors also gave us this message by fasting in this area long ago, as they recognized this place of sacredness. This understanding is how we maintain the balance upon Un-ci Ma-ka, to protect these places, especially for the survival of our future generations to come.
These Buffalo that lost their lives in Yellowstone did not die by Natural Law, nor were their spirits honored with ceremony. This is why we must go there to perform a ceremony of honor for those that lost their lives by the misunderstanding of human-kind and pray to Wakan Tankan (Great Spirit) for pity of how gifts were unappreciated. We must pray with all those who grieve and be grateful for them. Many of the people who are deeply concerned of what has happened in the manner of which their lives were taken; we see this as an unnecessary massacre. We have known that this particular herd is the last original Buffalo Nation that still follows their migration pattern, the little that is left intact; they are the sign of our connection to our wellbeing of living in harmony.
I humbly ask for all People to make prayers on April 15th, at high noon; for a healing of humanity - for the decisions that are being made with no regard for the sacredness of life, for the massacred Buffalo’s spiritual journey and to protect what is left - in understanding of what our journey in this life represents in being responsible! We must pray for the healing of the human Spirit, to understand the connection to all living beings on Un-ci Ma-ka (Mother Earth).
In a Sacred Hoop of Life, where there is no ending and no beginning!
Can-te Mi-ta-wa I-ta-han (from my heart)
Chief Arvol Looking Horse
19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe
Note - 100’s more could be slaughtered, please let your voice be heard by visiting Defenders of Wildlife Today!
Yellowstone’s Buffalo need our help now!
Posted by msterilinn on Feb 26, 2008
The Buffalo Field Campaign–a campaign to protect Yellowstone’s buffalo–is currently in 1st place but is losing ground fast! If they win they will get a pledge drive done. Voting ends in less than two days. Please vote - you can vote every two minutes here : Vote for The Buffalo Field Campaign.
The Buffalo Field Campaign (BFC) is the only group working in the field, every day, to stop the slaughter and harassment of Yellowstone’s wild buffalo. Volunteers from around the world defend buffalo on their traditional winter habitat and advocate for their protection. Our daily patrols stand with the buffalo on the ground they choose to be on, and document every move made against them. Volunteers spend all day, from sunrise until sunset, watching and documenting actions taken against the buffalo. We run patrols from cars, skis and snowshoes to protect buffalo outside the park. Tactics range from video documentation to nonviolent civil disobedience. BFC enjoys incredible support and participation from the local community. Residents allow us to post signs on their property designating them as ‘Buffalo Safe Zones.’ We offer a fence repair service to mitigate damage caused by wildlife. Locals join us on our daily rounds, and many support our patrols with hot drinks and food. All of our work happens because people are willing to take a break from their usual schedules and come help. Over 3000 people from all over the country and around the world have joined us in our log cabin on Hebgen Lake to help stop the buffalo slaughter. We feed and house all our volunteers in our cabin and Gardner satellite camp. Volunteers patrol for buffalo by skis, snowshoes, or cars. Everyone communicates by a network of hand-held radios, and also carries a video camera. Our office runs outreach programs, including slide and video presentations, summer tabling in Yellowstone Park, website and e-mail updates, and national media coverage through press releases and video.
Come defend the buffalo by joining us on the front lines! We have had over 2400 volunteers from across the country and around the world join us on the front lines to help save the Yellowstone buffalo. The Buffalo Field Campaign is the only group living and working in the Yellowstone Ecosystem full time. We are on patrol all day, everyday, when buffalo are out of the park and in danger. Buffalo Field Campaign patrols defend the buffalo on their critical, native Montana habitat and document every move made against them.
Please consider becoming a The Buffalo Field Campaign Volunteer. The future of America’s last free-roaming herd depends on you!
How the Buffalo were released on Earth
Posted by msterilinn on Feb 25, 2008
My daughter is part Apache, so for her I shall relate a Legend of the Comanche and Apache People… Enjoy my little Star!
In the first days a powerful being named Humpback owned all the buffalo. He kept them in a corral in the mountains north of San Juan, where he lived with his young son.
Not one buffalo would Humpback release for the people on Earth, nor would he share any meat with those who lived near him.
Coyote decided that something should be done to release the buffalo from Humpback’s corral. He called the people to a council. “Humpback will not give us any buffalo,” Coyote said. “Let us all go over to his corral and make a plan to release them.”
They camped in the mountains near Humpback’s place, and after dark they made a careful inspection of his buffalo enclosure. The stone walls were too high to climb, and the only entrance was through the back door of Humpback’s house.
After four days Coyote summoned the people to another council, and asked them to offer suggestions for releasing the buffalo. “There is no way,” said one man. “To release the buffalo we must go into Humpback’s house, and he is too powerful a being for us to do that.”
“I have a plan,” Coyote said. “For four days we have secretly watched Humpback and his young son go about their daily activities. Have you not observed that the boy does not own a pet of any kind?”
The people did not understand what this had to do with releasing the buffalo, but they knew that Coyote was a great schemer and they waited for him to explain. “I shall change myself into a killdeer,” Coyote said. “In the morning when Humpback’s son goes down to the spring to get water, he will find a killdeer with a broken wing. He will want this bird for a pet and will take it back into the house. Once I am in the house I can fly into the corral, and the cries of a killdeer will frighten the buffalo into a stampede. They will come charging out through Humpback’s house and be released upon the Earth.”
The people thought this was a good plan, and the next Morning when Humpback’s son came down the path to the spring he found a killdeer with a crippled wing. As Coyote had foreseen, the boy picked up the bird and carried it into the house.
“Look here,” the boy cried. “This is a very good bird!”
“It is good for nothing!” Humpback shouted. “All the birds and animals and people are rascals and schemers.” Above his fierce nose Humpback wore a blue mask, and through its slits his eyes glittered. His basket headdress was shaped like a cloud and was painted black with a zig-zag streak of yellow to represent lightning. Buffalo horns protruded from the sides.
“It is a very good bird,” the boy repeated.
“Take it back where you found it!” roared Humpback, and his frightened son did as he was told.
As soon as the killdeer was released it returned to where the people were camped and changed back to Coyote. “I have failed,” he said, “but that makes no difference. I will try again in the morning. Perhaps a small animal will be better than a bird.”
The next morning when Humpback’s son went to the spring, he found a small dog there, lapping at the water. The boy picked up the dog at once and hurried back into the house. “Look here!” he cried. “What a nice pet I have.”
“How foolish you are, boy!” Humpback growled. “A dog is good for nothing. I’ll kill it with my club.”
The boy held tight to the dog, and started to run away crying.
“Oh, very well,” Humpback said. “But first let me test that animal to make certain it is a dog. All animals in the world are schemers.” He took a coal of fire from the hearth and brought it closer and closer to the dog’s eyes until it gave three rapid barks. “It is a real dog,” Humpback declared. “You may keep it in the buffalo corral, but not in the house.”
This of course was exactly what Coyote wanted. As soon as darkness fell and Humpback and his son went to sleep, Coyote opened the back door of the house. Then he ran among the buffalo, barking as loud as he could. The buffalo were badly frightened because they had never before heard a dog bark. When Coyote ran nipping at their heels, they stampeded toward Humpback’s house and entered the rear door. The pounding of their hooves awakened Humpback, and although he jumped out of bed and tried to stop them, the buffalo smashed down his front door and escaped.
After the last of the shaggy animals had galloped away, Humpback’s son could not find his small dog. “Where is my pet?” he cried. “Where is my little dog?”
“That was no dog,” Humpback said sadly. “That was Coyote the Trickster. He has turned loose all our buffalo.”
Thus it was that the buffalo that were released to scatter over all the Earth.
