BOOKS - Seeing the White Buffalo

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"Seeing the White Buffalo" by Robert B. Pickering

In the summer of 1994, the birth of a white buffalo calf in Wisconsin created a wave of excitement throughout Indian Country. The event inspired Dr. Robert Pickering to research the white buffalo’s importance to Indian peoples, as well as its historical and biological significance. He journeyed to the family farm of Dave and Val Heider, where the calf—aptly named Miracle—was born. He spoke with them about the astonishing flood of visitors who came to see Miracle, and about the uncanny accuracy of some Indian elders’ prophecies. 

With the Heiders’ cooperation, he uses their poignant story as the starting point for his investigations. Pickering examines the history of the buffalo and the biological reasons for the white buffalo’s rarity, and he shares his conversations with tribal elders and modern bison ranchers. "Seeing the White Buffalo" skillfully marries scientific and cultural perspectives in its exploration of the phenomena of this unusual animal..

Note:  Vicky and I met the Heiders at the 1996 National Bison Association conference in Denver.... and they sent us a video story of Miracle;  it really is much like a "second coming" .  True American story.   True fulfillment of the Native American legend.

How we got to meet the Heiders ... who were always surrounded by people during the conference ... no chance for us to get even close, is almost another "miracle".    The last night of the conference we were in the hotel hot tub ... a big affair that held maybe 20 people.  There was a young man and his wife on my left; Vicky was on my right and probably another 3 or so couples.  Vicky says out loud something like "I am so disappointed we didn't get to meet the Heider's".  Before I can say anything the guy on my left says "You want to meet them?   Give me a minute".

He goes to the house phone in the pool room, makes a call and we hear him say; "Mom, there is a beautiful lady here that wants to meet you."   He arranges breakfast the next morning for us .... and that is where our acquaintance with them began.  What are the chances?   But with Vic that's just kind of the way things go.  Don't question; don't try to explain .... just go with it and pay attention.

The book incorporates much of Miracle's birth and life; more on the legend of the White Buffalo Calf Woman and a bit more about how it all ties together.   At the time this book was written,  Robert B. Pickering, the author, was the Head of the Department of Anthropology at the Denver Museum of Natural History. He received his Ph.D. in Physical Anthropology from Northwestern University.

Gently used copies