On May 3, a new bundle of joy was born on Siksika Nation. This little one, who was born into a chaotic world two weeks ago is being seen as a sign of hope to many.  

Snow Moon, son to father Tomahawk and mother Kelly Spirit, is a white buffalo calf. White buffalos are very rare, and Snow Moon like his parents who

New father, Tomahawk, is adjusting to his new duties quite well. are of the same colour coat, are looked upon as a great blessing by many Indigenous cultures across the world.  

Carlon and Lisa Big Snake who own the Siksika Barn and Snake Stich at Siksika Nation started looking for white buffalo just before the pandemic hit. Carlon's search for the animals led him all across North America. After extensive research and phone calls, he was surprised to find out that the buffalo he was trying to track down in Wisconsin, had made a big move to Sundre, where he went to visit the white duo.

In September 2020, after many delays due to the pandemic, the Big Snake family was able to bring Tomahawk and Kelly Spirit home to Siksika Nation.  

A ceremony of 200 people gathered at the barn to welcome the rare creatures to the Nation.  

Big Snake reflects on the importance of the day, “We unloaded them. We had our knowledge keepers here, so they gave their story about the buffalo and what the relationship was. When it was time to unveil the two buffalo, particularly the older folks, the elders, were very emotional. They said ‘it's about time we had buffalo back here’ and they had such a connection with them.” 

It was during this time that the pair of buffalo was discovered to be expecting, and Big Snake was very excited at the prospect that the calf could be white as well. 

Buffalo, regardless of colour, have been sacred to Indigenous people for centuries. Historically, every part of the buffalo was used for food, medicine, tools, and shelter. The buffalo has ever since been revered as sacred to First Nations.  

Big Snake said that everyone has a different story about the heritage of the buffalo. He said that he remembers being told the story of the Calling Stone. In the story, it was a very harsh winter with very little food and people were starving. One of the members of the community had a dream that buffalo would be coming back to their area but she had to find a stone that would call to her first. The next day, she heard a sound nearby and followed it out of curiosity where she found a stone. According to Big Snake, the woman performed a ceremony, and the next day, the people heard buffalo nearby.  

The white buffalo is a huge symbol of hope, and for one to be born amidst a worldwide pandemic, could be looked at as a light at the end of a long dark tunnel. 

Snow Moon will grow up to weigh over 2.000 poundsBig Snake said that he welcomes everyone who would like to take a look at the buffalo. He explained that he has heard many stories about what the buffalo meant to each person who has visited.  

“We see a lot of people from outside, and then they tell me the story of what is happening in their life and what the white buffalo means to them. I just tell them to take that meaning and keep it to themselves to think about it. They're very unique in what they do to people.” 

Snow Moon, who Big Snake describes as mischievous and very fast, is sticking close to his mother Kelly Spirit at the moment. Kelly Spirit’s heritage can be traced back to Montana where her ancestor, Bad Medicine, has been preserved in a museum in Helena.  

Tomahawk’s bloodline can be traced back to his ancestor Miracle Moon, which Snow Moon was kindly named after.  

“Kōna Ko'komíki'somma or Snow moon. We named it after his great-great-great-grandfather, Miracle Moon. Also because he's just pure white. My wife is Cree and in her language, kōna, it means snow and then Ko'komíki'somma in Blackfoot it means the moon.” 

Big Snake is currently cherishing his time with Snow Moon as in a year or two he will have to start his life somewhere else, possibly fathering his own calves. There will be more company in the pasture in a couple of weeks as Big Snake will be adding a couple of brown buffalos to the herd.  

He hopes that anyone who wishes to see the buffalo will come out to the barn and that people from all over can connect over the animals. 

“I think it's important that as human beings we gotta start working with each other. Make this pie bigger, then treat these as opportunities instead of having our differences. The world is so divided.  That is why I invite anyone to come here. They can teach me something and I can teach them something else.” 

The Barn is located approx 30 kilometres outside of Strathmore. You can call the Snake Stitch at 403-901-7439 for directions.