5/08/08

Buffalo receive tribal blessing  

by Beckye Randall

The intermittent rain showers and chilly winds weren’t able to dampen the spirits of those who gathered on a muddy field to witness the ceremonial blessing of the Stillaguamish Tribe’s newly-acquired buffalo herd.

On April 30 the Stillaguamish Tribe welcomed relatives from neighboring tribal communities along with representatives from local governments, business partners and the media to the event that honored the reintroduction of buffalo to tribal members.

The tribe has purchased eight buffalo from the Yakama Indian Nation and plans to acquire seven more animals by the end of the year. The buffalo will be used primarily as a meat source, with the lean, nutritious food distributed through the tribe’s diabetes program.

“Salmon runs have declined and we don’t have access to deer and elk like we used to, and many of our traditional plants aren’t readily available anymore,” said Stillaguamish Chairman Shawn Yanity “With the high rate of diabetes in Indian County, we decided to provide buffalo to our tribal members as a healthy alternative.”

The transition to a diet that’s higher in sugar, saturated fats and fast foods has caused widespread health problems for northwest Indians, said Yanity. Incorporating buffalo meat, which is leaner than beef and contains large amounts of iron, beta carotene and omega-3 fatty acids, is expected to have a noticeable impact on diabetes management.

To honor the buffalo, members of the Yakama Tribe performed a traditional ceremony of drums and songs, punctuated by the clear sound of a bell and intermixed with prayers spoken in the elders’ native language.

The Yakama Nation also provided a display of traditional native items made from buffalo including combs, tools, ropes and clothing.

“Since the time of Creation, our Brother Buffalo has been a partner in life, supplying us with food, tools and vessels,” said one of the visiting Yakama elders. “We gather today to celebrate Mother Earth and Brother Buffalo.”

With the rich baritone voices of the ceremonial singers lingering in the air, guests enjoyed a delicious buffalo burger lunch while members of neighboring tribes, including the Tulalip, Skagit and Lummi tribes, paid tribute to the buffalo project.

To support its buffalo project, the Stillaguamish Tribe has joined the InterTribal Bison Cooperative (ITBC), a non-profit organization that was formed in 1990 to coordinate and assist tribes in returning the buffalo to Indian country. ITBC has a membership of 57 tribes with a collective herd of over 15,000 bison.

The Yakama Nation’s buffalo herd has grown from 12 animals in 1991 to more than 200, roaming 900 acres of land and producing 40-50 calves each spring. The tribe, which is located in south central Washington on the Columbia Plateau, hopes to expand its buffalo herd to 400 animals over the next few years.

The Stillaguamish Tribe conserved 56 acres of farmland west of I-5, between exits 206 and 208, to accommodate the herd. “We want to model for others how to preserve farmland while protecting wetlands at the same time,” said Yanity.

In addition to providing healthy meat for tribal members with diabetes or other health issues, the buffalo will also benefit the tribe culturally. “We can incorporate hides, bones, tails and hooves into our ceremonies and regalia,” Yanity explained.

As the herd grows, tribal elders and low-income families will be invited to share in the meat. Eventually the Stillaguamish Tribe could share the meat with neighboring tribes and make it available to the general public.

Captions: (Top) Tribal chairman Shawn Yanity welcomed guests to a ceremony to welcome the tribe's new herd of buffalo. (Middle) Photo courtesy of ITBC. (Bottom) The Yakama Nation provided an interactive display of implements and supplies made from buffalo for the gathering celebrating the Stillaguamish Tribe's herd.