A rare white buffalo calf with black markings was born on June 4 in Yellowstone National Park's Lamar Valley.
The calf, named "Wakan Gli" meaning "sacred return" in Lakota, is considered a profound spiritual event fulfilling a 2,000-year-old Lakota prophecy symbolizing hope, renewal, and the need to protect the Earth and its animals.
The birth is tied to the legend of White Buffalo Calf Woman, a sacred figure who brought hope and a warning about the treatment of the world.
Indigenous tribal leaders, including Chief Arvol Looking Horse, honored the birth with ceremonies involving singing, dancing, burning sage, and emphasizing its cultural significance as a symbol of better times ahead and the need to live in harmony with nature.
Despite difficulties in locating the calf after its birth, the event is considered a miracle by those who witnessed it, and Native American tribes plan to discuss its importance during upcoming gatherings and ceremonies near Yellowstone National Park.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq
Sources: TIME, NBC News, Washington Times, NBC Montana, WHIO, FOX 28 Spokane, Toronto Sun, Trib Live, KION 546, Go Skagit, Clinton Herald, East Idaho News, Flathead Beacon, DRG News, Daily Mail.