Muskoday First Nation welcomed two new arrivals Wednesday evening, juvenile white buffalo, a brother and sister. High school student Eden Bear stepped into a new role during a ceremony. Bear is now White Buffalo Calf Pipe Girl and she explained her new responsibilities to CTV. “If we put down buffalo, I’m gonna be present for that,” she said. “That’s kind of my role, really. And the ceremony doesn’t really matter, but buffalo is kind of gonna be my thing now.” The student said she feels honoured. After being asked by school staff if she wanted to do this, she said yes immediately. “It’s like a new leaf for Muskoday. So, just really happy and excited for this.” Bear explained how she will eventually pass the torch. “When the time is right and I’m like, oh, this is just not for me anymore, then I get to pass it down.” These are the first white buffalo on Muskoday. The two-year-old siblings are from Onion Lake First Nation and will slowly be introduced to the Muskoday herd. Muskoday Chief Ron Bear discussed the new buffalo’s significance. “White buffalo was held as the highest reverence in our culture. It brings us hope, prosperity, and it gives us that connection to the creator,” he said. “From the land to the animal to creation.” The Muskoday buffalo herd was started in the 1990s with only six head and has grown to more than 50. “To me, the buffalo brings us four things,” explained Chief Bear. “It brings us culture and brings us education. It brings us... economy and sustenance.” Chief Bear said he felt relief finally having the buffalo home in his community. “I think everybody was very happy with the ceremony that took place,” he said. “With the white buffalo finally coming home to Muskoday First Nation.” Councillor Kelly Bear worked to coordinate the buffalo’s arrival. “I heard that Onion Lake First Nation had them,” the councillor explained. “I reached out to them, and I can’t thank them enough. For them to help us with this and to bring white buffalo to our community so that our people can bring them into our culture.” The community is looking forward to having the new additions around and Councillor Bear is optimistic about their influence. “What the white buffalo represent, this hope and prosperity for a better way of life, and that’s what we’re trying to send a message out.”
