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Montana
Buffalo Campaign
December 15, 2005
Update from the Field
Often times we here at the BFC tend to focus on
the harder side of life. It is news and
unfortunately for all of us involved a fact of
daily life. But today I want to tell a different
kind of story, one that we don't normally get to
tell.
On any given day a group of volunteers will get
up, get dressed, eat and head out to stand with
our brothers in spirit the buffalo. Some of
these days are as hard as any care to remember
but then there are the days when we receive a
special treasure that reminds us all why we are
here. I personally have been lucky enough to see
the sun rise over the Rockies, exploding into a
kaleidoscope of pink, orange and purple. I have
also witnessed herds of elk roaming across the
fields, counted not in single number, but
instead by tens and even hundreds. I have even
seen days when eagles both bald and golden fill
the skies with their graceful dance. Above this
all, is in a word, the majestic buffalo and
among the buffalo there is one that, in my mind,
rose above the rest.
We first saw him nearly two weeks ago standing
near a hill of golden grass and crisp white
show. He stood strong and bold, fully
encompassing the spirit of the buffalo but with
wisdom normally reserved for elders. When he
looked to me, I could see his age. His head hung
low, and his horns were warn down to the bone.
This by no means meant that he had given up on
life, for he was a healthy as a bull half his
age.
Grandfather, as some of us began to call him,
had the ability to look right through you with
no more than a glance. But this was not his way.
When Grandfather would look at you it was not to
look through you but instead to say, "Come, sit
close to me so I may tell you a story of my life
and of the Buffalo." He did not use words but
instead used subtle movements, feelings, and his
spirit to speak. For four days he stayed and
told his story. After the fourth day he returned
to safety.
Now if I have done my job right you too will be
able to close your eyes and see the Grandfather
Buffalo. See him as a young calf running and
playing in the fields. Later as a strong
powerful bull leading his heard from year to
year. Then finally as an elder sharing his
wisdom to all who will take the time to watch
and listen. Let him tell you his story and when
he does, keep it golden and pure.
After we win this fight, and we will win, It is
my dream to walk into a meadow of gentle green
and gold on a warm spring day to lay back and
listen to the story of the Buffalo once more. It
is then that I know they will tell us all of
their story again, though this time they will be
not just safe but as always Wild and Free.
To all my relatives,
Kim |
