As a multi-racial Oglala Lakota descendant and indigenous spiritual professional, I am honored to share the profound significance of the Lakota White Buffalo Prophecy and what it could mean amidst the dark times of today. This sacred prophecy has been passed down through generations, guiding our people with its profound spiritual meaning and reminding us of our responsibilities to Mother Earth and all her inhabitants.
Historical Origins of the White Buffalo Prophecy
The White Buffalo Prophecy originates from the Lakota Sioux Nation and is deeply intertwined with the story of White Buffalo Calf Woman, a central figure in Lakota spirituality. According to legend, White Buffalo Calf Woman appeared to the Lakota people at a time of great need, bringing with her the sacred Chanunpa (peace pipe) and teachings of harmony, balance, and respect for all life. She promised to return one day, and her return would be heralded by the birth of a white buffalo calf, an event of great spiritual significance.
The Story of White Buffalo Calf Woman
Painting by Mary Selfridge
The legend of White Buffalo Calf Woman tells of a time when the Lakota people were suffering from hunger and discord. Two young scouts were sent out to search for food. They encountered a beautiful woman dressed in white, who transformed into a white buffalo calf and then back into a woman. She instructed the scouts to return to their people and prepare for her arrival. Upon her arrival, White Buffalo Calf Woman presented the Lakota with the sacred Chanunpa and taught them seven sacred rituals, including the Sundance and the Ghost Dance, which are central to Lakota spirituality. Her teachings emphasized living in harmony with the Earth and each other. She then left, promising to return one day, and as she walked away, she transformed into a series of buffalo in different colors, the final one being a white buffalo, symbolizing purity and renewal.
The Meaning of the White Buffalo Prophecy
The prophecy of the white buffalo signifies a time of renewal and hope, a period when humanity must come together to restore balance and harmony with the natural world. The birth of a white buffalo is a rare event, symbolizing the beginning of an era of healing and unity. It calls upon all people to honor their connection to the Earth, respect one another, and work towards a future where peace and sustainability prevail.
Historical Indigenous Leaders and Their Significance
Prominent Indigenous leaders have long recognized the importance of the White Buffalo Prophecy. Chief Arvol Looking Horse, a 19th-generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe, has been a tireless advocate for peace and environmental stewardship. He has dedicated his life to raising awareness about the prophecy and its implications for our world. His work emphasizes that the prophecy is not just a message for the Lakota people but for all of humanity.
The Birth of a White Buffalo Calf in Yellowstone
On June 11th, 2024, a rare white buffalo calf was born in Yellowstone National Park. This event was discovered by park rangers during their routine check-ups. The birth of this white buffalo calf fulfills the prophecy and serves as a powerful reminder that the time for action is now. The arrival of this sacred calf is a clear signal that we have work to do to honor the next steps in the prophecy.
The American Indian Movement (AIM) and Leonard Peltier
The American Indian Movement (AIM), founded in 1968, has been at the forefront of advocating for Indigenous rights and sovereignty. AIM has played a significant role in raising awareness about the injustices faced by Indigenous communities and has been a powerful force in the fight against systemic oppression.
One of the most poignant cases highlighting the struggle for Indigenous rights is that of Leonard Peltier. Peltier, an AIM activist, was wrongfully imprisoned in 1977 for the deaths of two FBI agents during a shootout on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Many believe that Peltier was framed by the FBI to suppress Indigenous activism and AIM. Now at 80 years old, Peltier maintains his innocence in these allegations, and has since continued activism while being imprisoned through his writing and speaking. His case has become a symbol of the broader issues of injustice and mistreatment of Indigenous peoples by the US government.
Recently, there has been a renewed push for Peltier’s release, with many advocates calling for his parole. Peltier's health has declined in recent years with age, and he just wants to go home and spend his elder years with his family. My hope is that the birth of the white buffalo calf is also a sign that we will finally see justice for Leonard Peltier and the fulfillment of the #FreeLeonardPeltier movement. This event is seen as a powerful omen that the tides are turning in favor of Indigenous sovereignty and justice. You can take action here and stay informed on the latest updates in his case by texting "freeleonardnow" to 50302 (standard text messaging rates apply).
Injustices and Mistreatment of Indigenous Peoples by the US Government
The history of the United States is marred by numerous injustices and mistreatment of Indigenous peoples (too many to cover here), beginning with it's genocidal inception. From the earliest days of colonization, Indigenous communities have faced displacement, violence, and systemic oppression. One of the most egregious forms of mistreatment has been the consistent breaking of treaties by the US government. These treaties were agreements meant to guarantee certain rights and protections to Indigenous nations in exchange for land and other concessions. However, the US government has repeatedly failed to honor these treaties, leading to the loss of Indigenous land, culture, and autonomy.
Prominent examples of broken treaties include the Treaty of Fort Laramie (1851 and 1868), which guaranteed the Lakota people sovereignty over the Black Hills, and the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which led to the forced relocation of thousands of Indigenous people in the infamous Trail of Tears. The Dawes Act of 1887 further eroded Indigenous landholdings by allotting communal lands to individual owners, resulting in the loss of millions of acres of tribal land. These actions have led to significant socio-economic disadvantages, loss of cultural heritage, and long-lasting trauma within Indigenous communities.
Moreover, the genocidal impacts of boarding schools and reservations have devastated tribal nations. Indigenous children were forcibly taken from their families and placed in boarding schools, where they were subjected to harsh discipline, forced assimilation, and physical and emotional abuse. These schools aimed to eradicate Indigenous cultures and languages, leaving deep scars on generations of Indigenous families. Today, Indigenous resistance efforts like NABS are working to heal these wounds. Recently, the discovery of mass graves at these boarding school sites has brought to light the horrific extent of the abuse. In Canada and the US, the remains of over 1,300 Indigenous children have been found in these mass graves, a stark reminder of the violent erasure of Indigenous identities and the deep-seated trauma that persists in Indigenous communities, and a terrifying precursor to the Palestinian mass graves created and discovered still today in Gaza. Reservations, while intended to provide a space for Indigenous communities, often led to further displacement and marginalization. The conditions on many (not all) reservations have been dire (notably Pine Ridge Reservation), with inadequate access to healthcare, education, economic opportunities or even clean drinking water, contributing to ongoing cycles of poverty and disenfranchisement.
Further compounding these issues are blood quantum politics, forced sterilization, and systemic injustices surrounding Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives (MMIR). Blood quantum laws, which define tribal membership based on the percentage of Indigenous ancestry, serve to limit and eventually diminish the recognized Indigenous population, thereby undermining tribal sovereignty and identity. Forced sterilization, practiced extensively from the 1960s to the 1980s, and still today, is a genocidal tactic aimed at reducing the Indigenous population. Thousands of Indigenous women were sterilized without their consent, causing deep physical and emotional scars.
The crisis of MMIR highlights the ongoing violence against Indigenous peoples, particularly women, girls, and Two-Spirit individuals. The systemic neglect and lack of effective response from law enforcement agencies contribute to the high rates of disappearance and murder within Indigenous communities. These injustices, rooted in colonialism and perpetuated by modern legal and social systems, continue to threaten the survival and well-being of Indigenous peoples.
Despite these historical and ongoing injustices, Indigenous peoples continue to fight for their rights and sovereignty. Modern movements like Land Back and organizations such as the American Indian Movement (AIM) work tirelessly to address these grievances, seeking justice and the restoration of Indigenous lands and rights. The ongoing push for the release of Leonard Peltier, an AIM activist wrongfully imprisoned for over four decades, highlights the continuous struggle against systemic injustices perpetuated by the US government. By acknowledging these injustices and advocating for the honoring of treaties, we can support the healing and empowerment of Indigenous communities.
The birth of a white buffalo calf in Yellowstone in June 2024, discovered by park rangers, signifies hope and a call to action. It reminds us of the Lakota White Buffalo Prophecy and the responsibilities we bear to honor it. This event encourages us to support movements like Land Back and AIM, and to seek justice for individuals like Leonard Peltier. To stay informed and take action in Peltier's case, text "freeleonardnow" to 50302 (standard messaging rates apply).
The White Buffalo Calf Prophecy and Modern Advocacy
Artwork by Leonard Peltier
The birth of the white buffalo calf in Yellowstone on May 16, 2023, discovered by park rangers, is a powerful reminder of our responsibilities, especially amidst a time of burning earth and societal collapse at the hands of capitalist greed and imperialism. As we work to honor the prophecy, it is essential to recognize the interconnectedness of environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and social justice. The white buffalo calf's birth signifies a time of change and calls us to action in supporting movements like Land Back and AIM.
Honoring the Next Steps in the Prophecy
The birth of the white buffalo calf calls us to action. It is a call to:
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Respect the Earth: Renew our commitment to protecting the environment and preserving the natural world for future generations. Advocate for sustainable practices and oppose activities that harm the Earth.
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Promote Unity and Peace: Strive to resolve prejudicial conflicts by unraveling colonial mindsets, build bridges between communities, and foster understanding and respect for all cultures.
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Honor Indigenous Wisdom: Recognize and value Indigenous knowledge and traditions, we are the stewards of our land, entrusted with such by Creator for a reason. We've maintained thriving ecosystems for hundreds of years before first-contact. Ensure Indigenous voices are heard and respected in global conversations about sustainability and conservation. Learn and listen to our stories, our knowledge ways, and apply our wisdom.
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Educate and Raise Awareness: Share the story of the White Buffalo Prophecy and its significance to inspire others to take meaningful action. Education is a powerful tool for change.
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Support the Land Back Movement: Show solidarity with Indigenous sovereignty and the rematriation of land. Advocate for holding the US and Canadian governments accountable to honor treaties made with Indigenous peoples. Click here to learn more about Land Back.
- Fight for Collective Liberation from Imperial Colonization: Take direct actions in solidarity with people's under the siege of genocide and ethnic cleansing. From Sudan, Congo, Tigray, Turtle Island (The US & Canada), to the sea in Gaza, we must #FreePalestine and set everyone free. Click here for a list of 3 minute actions, and click here for a boycott list in solidarity with all our oppressed relatives of the 4 directions.
White Buffalo Medicine For Revolutionary Times
By embracing these teachings, we can apply them to be in solidarity with ALL occupied people's of colonization, including Congo, Sudan, Tigray, Palestine, First Nation's peoples, Turtle Island tribal nations, etc, and supporting the release of Leonard Peltier, we can fulfill the prophecy's promise and honor the legacy of White Buffalo Calf Woman. We just have to unlearn the colonized mind, so we can remember and honor the universal nature of our interdependence. This ensures a brighter, more harmonious future for all, where peace, unity, and respect for all life prevail.
Wopila 🙏🏽 for reading.
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