
Lakota Elder Calls for Prayers for Peace
Stephanie M. Schwartz
Since the rare birth of the white buffalo calf, Miracle, on the Heider
Family farm in Janesville, Wisconsin in 1994, numerous white buffalo calves have been born across the country. Interestingly, like Miracle, most of these calves have been born on farms owned by non-Native American people. Additionally, as a symbol of hope for peace, people from many cultures have come to know about and honor these creatures.
Miracle died unexpectedly in 2004 of natural causes at only ten years of
age; an event which created shock across the indigenous nations and around
the world.
Now, another sacred white buffalo, named Miracle's Second Chance by Valerie
Heider, has been born on the same farm in Wisconsin during a lightning storm
on August 25, 2006.
David Swallow, Teton Oglala Lakota traditional spiritual leader from the
Pine Ridge Reservation, spoke today on the significance and message he sees
in this calf's birth.
He clearly believes that the name for this calf was actually part of the
message. He said, "The name is right, it is no accident, the birth of
Miracle's Second Chance is yes, a second chance for all humanity." And
since, to his people, lightning represents the destruction of evil, Swallow
feels the message is the strongest yet.
Swallow went on to explain that, "It is not the normal average person or
even the normal government people who bring such danger and destruction to
the world. It is those who walk in greed and envy who feed the prophesied
many-headed serpent who is foretold to consume its supporters."
Swallow explained that the traditional stories of his people tell that the
Sacred White Buffalo Calf Woman came at a time of great need and great
strife and war to bring the people back to peace, to living in a good way.
She initially appeared to two men. In this first encounter, one of the men
was honored, the one who showed respect and right spiritual action. The
other was consumed and turned to dust because of his evil intentions.
Swallow believes so it will happen in our world again today, "The birth of
this calf symbolizes this, that evil will be destroyed," he said.
His words spoke that, "It is time that the white nations and all mainstream
cultures return to living in a good way, in peace and harmony with each
other and with Grandmother Earth. Only by doing so, will life continue in
our world."
But Swallow was clear that there was also a message for the indigenous
nations as well. He pointed out that the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Woman
had brought the sacred c'anunpa, the sacred pipe, to his people that they
might use it to pray in a good way so that their sincere prayers might be
heard by the Divine.
Swallow issued a call to all those who carry a c'anunpa. He said, "The
Sacred Pipe carriers, whether they are Native American or not, need to get
their sacred c'anunpas out and use them every day to pray for peace and
harmony to return to our world in a good way. Pray that the "money" people
will wake up and stop destroying Grandmother Earth for profit and that her
health will return. You can make a difference, a very real difference. The
c'anunpas need to be used for this purpose by all who carry them. They need
to do this every day and to walk with these prayers in their hearts"
Swallow continued, "My English is not good. I have to be careful because
sometimes I use the wrong words and am misunderstood. But everyone needs to
understand this clearly: We all need to pray, whether you have a c'anunpa
or not, whether you are American Indian or not. We need to pray because it
will only be by prayer that the world will be saved. It will only be by
prayer that the hearts of those who are destroying the world can be
changed."
Swallow ended by saying, "I have said this is our second chance for
humanity. I pray that people will wake up and hear the message. Our lives
and our world depend on it." "Ho hecetu yelo, I have spoken."
To see pictures of Miracle's Second Chance on the internet, visit
www.whitebuffalomiracle2.homestead.com
This article may be re-published free of charge as long as the author gives
permission, retains the copyrights, and the article stays unaltered with
proper attribution given.
Stephanie M. Schwartz, Freelance Writer, may be reached at
SilvrDrach@gmail.com