A rare white buffalo was born earlier this month and a religious ceremony was held to name the "sacred" animal with hundreds gathering to celebrate its birth at Yellowstone in Montana.
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Very rare white buffalo calf born in Montana's Yellowstone, 'sacred' name revealed
Rare white calf named during ceremony outside Yellowstone National Park
A rare white buffalo reportedly born earlier this month in Yellowstone has officially been named by Native American tribal members.
The calf's momentous birth turned into a celebration, which led to a gathering of hundreds of people for the reveal of the animal's name.
The calf has been named Wakan Gli, meaning "Return Sacred" in Lakota, according to the Associated Press (AP).
The religious naming ceremony consisted of dancing, drumming, singing and the telling of the White Buffalo Calf Woman prophecy.
The birth of the rare white buffalo calf is believed to mean that "better times" are ahead. The message apparently serves as both a blessing and a warning.
"It’s up to each and every one of you to make it happen for the future of our children. We must come together and bring that good energy back," Chief Arvol Looking Horse said at the ceremony, which took place a few miles west of Yellowstone, in far southern Montana, the AP reported.
An estimated 500 people attended the sacred ceremony at the headquarters of Buffalo Field Campaign – with representatives from the Colville Tribes in Washington, Lakota and Sioux in the Dakotas, Northern Arapaho in Wyoming and Shoshone-Bannock in Idaho also in attendance.
The calf has only been seen by a few individuals and even fewer have been able to capture a photo of the white-furred animal.
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The birth of Wakan Gli is considered to be "a miracle" to the Lakota people and other Native American tribes.
"To the several tribes who revere American bison — they call them ‘buffalo’ — the calf's appearance was both the fulfillment of sacred prophesy and a message to take better care of the Earth," the AP reported.