White Buffalo, Miracle, being investigated

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The birth of a white buffalo calf last August was hailed as being a

near miracle. There had not been such an event in more than 60 years.

In fact, the calf was called "Miracle" by the farmer, Dave Heider, who

lives just a couple of miles outside Janesville. What made the birth

such a rarity is that the International Buffalo Association claimed that

the chances of a white buffalo being born into the world are only one in

10 million.

Today, the calf is raising a number of eyebrows as people begin to

question the darker hair coloring of the alleged white calf. According

to sources, the calf's colors vary from white to dark brown, with a

tinge of red. Some people are saying that the calf may be a mixture of

buffalo and Charollais. In farmers' jargon, that would make it a

"beefalo" or a "cattalo" (defined as a hardy, fertile hybrid resulting

from a cross between the American buffalo, or bison, and domestic cow).

Doris Pierce, Heider's mother-in-law, however, disputes any such claims.

"The Native Americans that come here don't care; they know it's the

right one. She is a true buffalo," she claims.

When pressed about the changing colors, Pierce explained that it is

part of the legacy of the Lakota that the calf would change colors four

times. She said the first time it changed color, it went to a deep

brown, almost black, with a white belly.

Heider was unable to be reached for comment, but Scott Angus of the

Janesville Gazette said that there has been discussion of the

possibility of the calf being only half-buffalo. He further agreed that

the calf's colors have been darkening.

"To Native Americans that doesn't matter," he adds. The fact is, he

explained, that the calf was born white, and that apparently is what

counts.

Pierce said there will be a May 27-29 powwow in Janesville, and bus

shuttles will run to the farm for those wishing to see Miracle.

Thousands of people, mostly Aboriginal, have already gone out of their

way to see for themselves. Dozens have left offerings. While the

Heider farm and the buffalo calf were closed to the public over the

winter, the farm just re-opened its gates on April 15. Angus said there

is not, to his knowledge an admission fee, although there is a donation

box for those wishing to contribute.

Basically visitors are allowed to go have a look, and there are a

number of souvenir items-- things like post cards, T-shirts, caps,

ear-rings, buckles, necklaces, patches and so forth.

The 40-acre farm holds a total of 15 buffalo in a 24-acre field.

Last month, a busload of Alberta Indians visited, a group of about 40

from Saskatchewan, some medicine people and a group of Cheyennes, said

Angus.

"(The Heiders') plan to do some blood tests this spring sometime," he

added, to verify the background of the calf. That would also add to its

legitimacy, especially if its sole buffalo bloodlines are confirmed.