We would like to thank Kevin Off for his generosity and his help with the purchase and butchering of the buffalo. In March we sacrificed a male buffalo bull in anticipation of the arrival of our Leader and Chief, James Crow Dog, also known as James Shot With Two Arrows. We are very proud to have had the support and participation of so many of our friends. The day started out with calm weather, although it had snowed heavily the night before. Kevin Off, the ranch owner, was especially reverent and prayerful. We sang songs and smoked the sacred Canupa allowing the bull to choose itself. A single shot rang out into the snowy sky marking the 48 hours of work that would stand before us. Once again, Jeff Winsett did more than his share and more than one normal human could accomplish. Also, Aliya was instrumental in every step of the process. The work continued on for several days. We are very grateful of the many people who participated in all of the various facets of this type of work. One of the main reasons that we did this is so that we can place his heart at the base of the sacrificial cottonwood tree at James’ Sundance. It will be very good for us when we are at that Sundance because most of us will be dancing there this year. The tail is used as a very special medicine. It was skillfully prepared and handed off to our elder. The hide will be prepared as a drum. We have been saving an elk hide for the opposite side of the drum for a very long time so we are very grateful to be able to create this new drum. The skull of course will sit on our sweat lodge altar. We will paint it skillfully with a hail storm design. Rattles and containers (cedar and tobacco bags) will be made of the various parts. Some people were very surprised to see Chris making a broth with the broken bones and tallow reduction with the fat. Even the hair straight from the hide will be felted into a wool blanket. The meat is all to be used in Ceremonies to feed the people. It is incredible to think that long ago this type of work would be accomplished without the aid of steel knives and freezers. Clearly, we would have had a lot more help long ago. We would have even finished eating it by now.
We would like to thank Tatanka, the Spirit of the Sacred Buffalo, that gave to us so graciously. We would like him to know how special he is to be used in such a sacred way in this modern time. So many buffalo are butchered purely for culinary reasons. At least at the Off Ranch in Del Norte, CO, we know that Kevin will always be mindful, prayerful, and respectful of these awesome creatures.
