The White Buffalo

In 1994, few ``good news'' stories captured as much international attention as did the birth of a rare white buffalo in Janesville, Wis. Bison experts called the birth a natural oddity, estimating the odds at 1 in 10 million. Beloit Daily News writer Neal White was the first to report calf's birth. His story and photos were picked up on the Associated Press and moved on the international wire.

Following that initial story, Native Americans throughout North America began arriving at David Heider's farm, wanting to see the calf and perform religious ceremonies. Tribal elders said the birth was the fulfillment of a sacred prophecy, (see pipe) signaling a new age of global spirituality and unification of the races. Many called the birth ``a modern day miracle.'' Since the calf's birth in late August of 1994, representatives from more than 30 tribes have performed nearly 100 ceremonies honoring the calf. Because of its significance to Native Americans, the Heiders named the calf Miracle, and agreed never to sell the calf. They had received several substantial offers, including one from rock star Ted Nugent.

On a daily basis, between 500 and 1,000 visitors would show up at the farm, forcing the Heiders to establish visiting hours and conduct tours. Guests were primarily Native Americans, but also included curious sight-seers and several state officials, namely Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson. From August to January of this year, more than 30,000 people had seen the calf _ with the most distant delegation traveling from the Republic of China. Even when the calf began turning a darker color, people continued to come. As of December 1995, more than 60,000 people have visited the farm.

The calf's birth touched many people in a positive way. More than two dozen neighbors and friends gave up weekends by volunteering to help around the farm and conduct tours. Others went so far as to set up a trust fund and hold fund raisers, with the money used to help care for the calf. After the sire of the white calf died, one of the volunteers was so moved by what had taken place on the farm, she bought a new bull and donated it to the Heiders.

Virtually overnight, David and Valerie Heider went from obscure farmers to international celebrities. While more than 100 news organizations from around the world eventually conducted interviews and filed stories, Neal was the only reporter to cover the subject in its entirety. He has filed more than 30 stories on the white buffalo _ several of them exclusives _ with most of his work being picked up by the Associated Press. Locally, interest was so high that Daily News editions containing one of Neal's white buffalo stories were guaranteed to be a sellout. His work has also generated complimentary calls and letters from around the United States _ including one letter from Great Britain.
 
 

Copyright 1995 by Neal White and the Beloit Daily News By Neal White
City Editor

Indian spiritual leaders believe the buffalo born with a white coat in Janesville will continue to change colors.

The white buffalo was born Aug. 20 on David and Valerie Heider's farm in rural Janesville.

Over the past five months, the calf's fur has continued to darken, going from yellowish-gray to nearly all black.

Arbol Looking Horse, a Lakota Sioux medicine man in Eagle Butte, S.D., said the change in colors coincide with the ceremonial legend of the White Buffalo Calf Woman.

According to legend, the White Buffalo Calf woman came to Indians during a time of great famine.

``The people were praying for help. She came to our people bringing the buffalo, which gave us food and shelter. The ceremonies relate to giving and sharing and spirituality,'' Looking Horse said. ``It was told the next time there is chaos and disparity, she would return again.

``It just so happens that now, the people have been praying for the spirit of the buffalo to make our nation strong spiritually,'' he said.

Looking Horse said the change in color is symbolic of the earth's four life forces: air, water, fire and land.

According to legend, when the earth was created, the four colors of man were each tasked to care for one of the life forces. The people of Africa were charged with caring for fire, or the energy of life; Europeans were to care for the air; Asia was to care for the water; and the people of America were to care for the land.

Singling out the current problems of global pollution and disharmony between nations, Looking Horse said mankind hasn't been doing its job. He said the calf will help unify the different races of man, return spirituality and heal the damage caused by pollution. The different colors signify the responsibility of all races.

Floyd Hand, another Sioux medicine man who predicted the calf's birth, agrees the calf's fur will continue to change colors.

Hand, also of South Dakota, said while the white buffalo is part of Native American religion, it is significant in the ``holistic spirituality movement'' taking place around the world.

``The calf has great healing powers. She makes people aware that all living things are equal, not just the Indians, but everyone. The white calf is trying to tell us something. If we listen, there will be peace, love and harmony throughout the earth,'' Hand said. ``That's why so many people have come to Wisconsin to see it.''

Since the calf's birth, more than 50,000 people have visited the Heider farm, according to Janesville tourism officials.

``It is all about the change that is taking place. It's in the prophecy,'' Hand said. ``First it turned yellow, then completely black, then it will turn reddish this spring. Eventually, down the line, when the races have become unified, she will turn white again.''

Looking Horse compared the color change to a test of faith.

``The way I see things, the calf will get dark, then turn light again. But we have to become more spiritual. We have to pray. When our spirituality is strong, the calf will become white again,'' Looking Horse said.

Both men agree the calf will continue to attract visitors, regardless of its color.

``It has a charismatic spiritual power that draws people,'' Hand said. ``They will continue to come. It is part of the prophecy.''