Rare White Buffalo Found Slaughtered And Skinned

A little less than a year ago, Sitting Bull’s great-great-great grandson Arby Little Soldier stood aghast as he witnessed the birth of a white buffalo. It’s estimated just one in ten million buffalo are born with white skin, and among many American Indian tribes, they’re seen as signs of collective interdependence and peace. A naming ceremony was quickly organized, and thousands came in from all over the country to watch the animal be christened Lightning Medicine Cloud. Next week, a special ceremony was to be held for the calf’s first birthday, but now, those festivities have turned into a memorial thanks to someone’s cowardly actions.

Last week, Arby Little Soldier took a trip to Oklahoma City. When he returned, he found Lightning Medicine Cloud slaughtered and skinned. A day later, the calf’s mother Buffalo Woman died as well. Many are convinced she was shot with a poisonous arrow, and no one can figure out exactly why. According to The Star-Telegram, a forty-five thousand dollar reward is being offered for information that leads to the responsible party’s conviction. Whether or not justice will be done is unclear, but if it isn’t, it won’t be for lack of trying.

The Texas Rangers, the Bureau of Indians Affairs and the Hunt County Sheriff’s Department have all pledged their resources. They’ve launched a joint investigation and have vowed to do whatever they can. Since the incident happened last week, the ranch has been inundated with sympathy and well-wishes from all over the world. Pop Blend likewise sends its support. Lightning Medicine Cloud may have passed, but the symbolic peace he offered is no less of a noble goal today.