Prayer ceremony for Yellowstone buffalo: What a blustery wind can evoke

By Jim Macdonald, New West Unfiltered 4-16-08

Today, I attended a prayer ceremony led by the Lakota elder, Chief Arvol Looking Horse, just outside the National Park Service's Stephens Creek Capture facility inside of Yellowstone National Park.

This winter, the buffalo in Yellowstone have suffered enormously, mostly at the hands of the government. To date, at least 1,598 buffalo have been killed, others have been sent to quarantine or are being held in capture facilities. Hundreds more have been dying from the harsh Yellowstone winter. This is a record number of killings. From a total of 4,700 buffalo counted in the fall, the number fell to 3,000 by the end of winter. Since then, at least another 400 have been killed.

This is a travesty, one that has been completely unnecessary. I'm not going to talk about why this is in fact a travesty; there are a million places where the sordid issues and non-issues have been sorted out. I have certainly written about it many times this winter; others have made what seems like a lifetime making the case against the slaughter of wild buffalo.

Instead, I want to focus on the prayer ceremony in the context of the buffalo and in the context of the struggle to end this travesty. While I cannot speak directly to the specifics of the ceremony itself - out of respect for our Lakota friends who asked that the prayer part of the event not be recorded (to which I must assume written recording as well) - I can speak directly to the atmospherics of the prayer ceremony as they relate to where we are now.

Just over 100 people came down to Stephens Creek for the prayer ceremony on a cold and very windy day. Walking with a friend to the spot of the prayer ceremony, which was within view of the capture facility, the wind kept bringing to mind the thought, "Are you sure you want to be here? This is a hard place to be." And, it was hard. Not quite in my view were buffalo being held. All around us were elk and buffalo scat, though neither in sight. You can't get past the idea that these buffalo are almost certainly dead or captured. In a stunning landscape, I found it impossible to ignore the contrast of such beauty and such horror. In me, I felt quite a bit of sorrow and yet at the same time the usual sense of captivation by a place, a place where every inch draws me in.

In the significant group of people who formed the prayer circle were friends and strangers. For me, they were mostly strangers. While we are all drawn together by the buffalo, we are dysfunctional in our familial and community relationships. Who are these people who care as I do about them? What brings us here? Why have we wandered together without knowing each other? It can't help but remind me of what former Yellowstone ranger Bob Jackson talks about when he mentions the familial structures of buffalo herds and how they have been torn apart by the way Yellowstone slaughters animals and sends others to quarantine facilities. Humans too are a scattered and chaotic bunch, and yet here we are trying.

And, yet less so than before. There were familiar faces, people in Buffalo Field Campaign that I've been getting to know, hugging me, telling me how proud they are of us in Bozeman for putting a bison advocacy group together, telling me in quiet whispers how much I belonged in Montana. There were faces in the crowd becoming familiar, not quite so strange. Can a herd be reconstituted after there has been so much stress, so much forced movement? I think that it is possible. From the Lakota and other indigenous tribes who have struggled to maintain their traditional ways following the wake of centuries of genocide, to the buffalo who were wiped off the planet as a chapter in that genocide, and from all of us who have been scattered about, there is hope. And, what better place for hope to be redeemed than in the magical land of Yellowstone.

Chief Arvol Looking Horse spoke before the prayer ceremony in Lakota, which was then translated into English. Besides the occasional familiar word, like tatanka, for me, it was a struggle, much like the struggle he talked about. Hearing through a strong and cold wind, distracted by a large circle of people, faced with an imposing though gorgeous landscape, and right next to the buffalo capture facility made concentration difficult. I could sense, though, that there was a call to change, a call to make right our relationship with the buffalo. All of that could be expected, but the feelings of place, of people, of connection to land and animal - all that one can feel in a moment - you cannot prepare for that. You hear in another language, but that's merely a sign of a larger struggle of connection. It could be powerfully clear in moments, even if I could not catch or remember every word.

I mention that we were able to see the capture facility, though it is currently closed to the public. For this ceremony, the Park Service, represented here by three rangers, allowed us access within several hundred yards of the facility. Two of the rangers showed an active interest in the ceremony, and all to some extent participated. It's hard to understand the conflicts of people enforcing policies that make little sense. I wonder if they could hear people in the crowd talking about what was happening. I could hear, "Worst superintendent ever," and "Biggest interagency nightmare ever." We hear all the time that no one who is a ranger actually supports the buffalo slaughter. Yet, it happens, and some of these rangers carry it out, perhaps out of fear of losing all that they've fought so hard to attain for themselves professionally. And, yet, how is that fear broken or the power that produces that fear?

Since moving to Bozeman at the end of December, I knew that the winter was going to be very rough for buffalo. I knew that the census of 4,700, which was a very high total, meant disaster for those buffalo who have been reduced by policy makers to a disease control issue. Unfortunately, I was right. It didn't take me long to get involved, to meet Buffalo Field Campaign, to meet new people in Bozeman interested in this issue, and begin organizing. It's been wonderful to have the support of Buffalo Field Campaign and the encouragement of members of that group. They are out there witnessing this, suffering as the animals they care about are being destroyed. I've become convinced that they need much more support from the local communities around them if they are going to make it. Seeing more than 100 people at a prayer ceremony suggests that the potential is there. And yet, it's hard not feeling that all efforts are too little, too late no matter what we accomplish in the future.

It was hard not feeling sad. That was reinforced when just before the prayer ceremony began, a Lakota said that the buffalo skull that was to be used in the ceremony had been a Yellowstone buffalo killed on March 5. Somehow, they had attained the skull. In simple honor and yet with a scent of defiance, he reported, "Now, we're bringing him back home." I wanted to cry.

Yet, we were called by our Lakota friends to go with "some peace of mind" and to be happy. It was a hard thought for me, though I think I got "some peace of mind" from the notion of "some." There was still something profoundly beautiful about this place, about this circle, about the spirit of support for a creature that has had a pretty rough 200 years. To be told that by people who are still suffering some of the worst conditions on the earth, the Lakota people, perhaps gave me a little more. And, yet, not full peace of mind. In me was a raging sense of loss, a sense of agitation about the challenges ahead, and a mind consumed by organizing support for the buffalo. When a Lakota woman, who was part of the ceremony, said to one of us nearby, "You are true buffalo warriors," I was struck by the distinction of peace of mind with being a kind of warrior. What an interesting thought; there was perhaps some peace of mind in that.

And, as we filed off, many to go to a lunch, my friend and I to return to Bozeman, the organizing continued. I spoke with Mike Mease of Buffalo Field Campaign about organizing ideas in Bozeman with our new group. At the same time, I was disappointed that I wasn't able to meet contacts with Gardiner's Bear Creek Council. Can prayer and the business of organizing be of the same spirit? I don't see why not. It can feel disjointed to be part of a cathartic experience and then instantly turn one's mind to the business of empowering people to take action. But, for me, I hardly have felt more alive in life than when I'm engaged in that process. It can, at the best of times, feel very soulful. And, besides, I don't sense time to reflect by myself when there is energy to act.

Cold, blustery, and difficult, but it all seemed very necessary. I'm thankful for the Lakota and Chief Arvol Looking Horse for coming so far to pray for the buffalo and for bringing home to Yellowstone a more beautiful moment than so many that have happened at Stephens Creek. I am thankful to have been part of it. Yet, the buffalo keep dying. For those that are still living, many of us feel the call to keep acting. It isn't that the buffalo are the everything of existence, the be all and end all of action, it's just the place where some of us have wandered. It is connected to atrocities of all types, and doing something about this - if done with a heart and mind toward all the others - can change some other dynamics as well; however, it is something deeply experiential that draws us in. Those are difficult thoughts, but the wind and the right moment can bring them home.

Now, it's back to work.

Amen. [End of article]

Jim,

Like all of your writing I found this to be a very well-written and though-provoking piece. I especially enjoyed your reflections of community. I wasn't able to be there in person yesterday, but I was there with you and buffalo in spirit. Thanks for sharing this account and for all of your organizing work in Bozeman. You're right, the buffalo and the BFC do need more support from the local communities.

Dan

Thanks, Dan. I really appreciate your kind words and appreciate you as well.

Dan: I too feel torn between the two worlds that we live in, one being those who feel that the cattle industry is suffering and those who know that to be false. In regards to community, I too feel that we are one community and like the buffalo must learn that life is not only a struggle for us but for them also. I am however torn between anger over those who commit the act of killing the buffalo and the feeling that we as a people are killing each other, is there a difference between the two acts? I think not. To draw a distinction between the two would be absurd and all I can say is if we don't make that distinction, we too as a people will unceremoniously be eradicated much like the buffalo. To all my relations TWO FEATHER

You put words and thoughts well, Jim. Emotions are stirred.

Since I was a ranger for thirty years my thoughts go to the resources of Yellowstone, its buffalo, and to its rangers you mention. It seems I have more compassion for the former. Maybe I should have more than I do for the rangers. None of these rangers ever thought they would be doing what they are doing now. They didn’t join the Service for this. Each is culpable, however. Each and everyone have the “ability” to change what is happening. But I concede they are part of a system that makes them what they are without them even knowing there is change within them. Maybe I shouldn’t be so harsh.

Others see it, however. I do have a lot of compassion for the families of rangers who have had to watch their public servant family provider capitulate to a system that makes them do things they didn't want to do. Does their loved one continue to do things they don't believe in and say to themselves it is better to be in this job than some supposed "bad" ranger who undoubtedly would do worse “things”? Or do they realize this job is doing things to them emotionally that is not good for their family or themselves? Are they becoming a lesser person?

I saw what these employees become and you probably saw it for yourself yesterday. Their heads are tilted down. So many are broken just like what happens to the horses at the horse corrals for what Steven’s Creek got its name.

I always look to comparisons with animals for clarity. As part of my back country job I was suppose to go to horse training at these corrals every year. Anyone riding horses as part of their job had to be "certified". After a while the ranger division informally "exempted" me from going. Not because I had put on over fifty thousand miles on a horse by this time but because those conducting the training did not want me there. The problem trainers had with me was newbie rangers kept coming up to me when they saw things that disturbed them, things they had no knowledge about, gut feelings of inner troubled stirrings. They would ask me why the trainers did what they did to the horses to make them obey.

No, none of this was physical abuse. This was supposedly the new improved horse whisperer type horse training. But while the whips and clubs were gone the psychological abuse was even worse and this is what subconsciously disturbed these novice horsemen.

The reason the trainers didn't want me there was because I said what I saw. I said it in private to the trainers and I said it to those asking me at those training sessions. I explained to the trainees their gut feelings were right. ABUSE was going on. I explained how the way this trainer got this single horse to walk up to him, so he could put a halter on, was to make all other horses, the 15-20 in the same circle pen, not want to be with this one horse.

The method employed was to frighten all. With no place to escape, panic soon swept in. After the yelling and arm waving he let all the horses know he wasn’t after them. He was just after one of them. Within a few minutes two thirds of the animals stayed on the other side of the corral away from the “chosen one”. This one horse very soon knew this guy was seriously after him and in order to not have all running around he would stay in place so the "trainer" could walk up to put a halter on. Not good enough. More yelling and arm waving and all would run again, only now more horses kept space between them and all but a few of the “guys” staying with this “one”. Finally it was down to just one other horse. I never saw it any different. Just one buddy left. He always stuck around longer than I ever thought possible. But no matter how much this harassed horse tried to show the trainer it was ok to put the halter on it was never good enough. More running with this horse being abandoned by all others and finally this horse stood with its head down and facing his body side ways. Still not good enough. But the end result was soon in coming and always the same. This horse would finally turn to face his "master" and walk the two to three steps so the trainer could put the halter on. Most of the class of thirty would then clap their hands and cheer. What they didn't notice was what happened as soon as this "amazing" trainer took the halter off. This horse would go meekly back to the others but not a one would have him. He could go to the edge but not be a part of them. His last buddy would always be on the far side of the bunch.

This is what happened to the horses at Steven's Creek and this is what most any ranger with spirit could look forward to if he stayed any time at Yellowstone. It was easy to identify all who had been “trained”. If their head was down they had been broken. It got this way because when a youth of high ideals, they sent a letter to the higher ups, those out of chain of command, or complained of something with conviction they would be asked to come to headquarters. They thought, "Oh my leader is going to listen". But when they entered the office of authority they found not only this person but all their ranking supervisors.

The scenario was always the same. Little or nothing to do with this employee’s honorable concerns, but everything to do with whatever complaint each and every one of the 3-5 supervisors had. By the time the higher up looked to all of his subordinates for “input” on this poor person this naive ranger walked out that door broken. But having a broken spirit wasn't enough. All those around the table were there because the same thing had been done to them. And all had to justify to themselves what they just did to this person was right. The only way to accomplish this was for the beat person to join ranks. This newly broken person could not look forward to shuffling off into oblivion. They now had to do their part as a member of the inquisition gang. The results are predictable. I know for a fact one time 2/3 of all permanent rangers were seeing shrinks.

The structure is so powerful in a place like Yellowstone few can escape its grasp. One long term ranger committed suicide the day after he was “investigated” by management and abandoned by peers. I heard from one there “they” pretty much all stayed away from him at the division meeting. He left a wife and kid. His abandonment and death had to do with his giving a snowmobile ride to a non govt. employee.

That is why I say I feel for the families of these employees. It is no different for the families of the buffalo that are left on the outside of the corrals while their loved ones are being abused and sent to their deaths with no respect by those making the decisions to do so.

What is happening at Stevens Creek is impacting a lot of its participants. After this is all over, whenever that may be, all those having to corral, haze, load and transport these bison to their deaths will desperately need post traumatic stress therapy. Some who have done this “job” for years I think are terminal cases.

But what about the remnants of bison families? Will they get compassion and caring? Will the Park biologists recognize the need for them to be left alone in their family homes in the Park interior during the critical young child development times of the year? Or will they wave this behavior away and tell the inquiring back country users these animals are running away with their little ones because they are wild animals?

Yes, I guess I care for the rangers one sees with their heads down but who is going to be there for PTS therapy for the buffalo?

Bob: I too feel for those rangers but I must also add that if the public knew about these abuses to begin with, I scarcely think that they would be aloud to continue. We need more RANGERS to come forward, like yourself and tell the story. I thank you and pray for you and your relations. Metakywe Oyasin TWO FEATHER

Bob,

Your story is very moving. I have been following closely and deeply appreciate your unique input on the issue.

After today's news, which was very disheartening, realizing that 25 very controlled buffalo will simply be a number - not necessarily a functional herd -, a number that will be mistreated the way people do guinea pigs, it makes my heart sag more. What you have to say adds a whole new layer of critique, especially against the supposed buffalo advocates (Greater Yellowstone Coalition, National Wildlife Federation, National Parks Conservation Association) who think this is a "good step." Your observations and research clearly shows that this is not at all a good step in any sense.

What's more, we have discovered that the number of buffalo is down to at least 2,300 - and according to a count in an IBMP report (see http://www.yellowstone-online.com/2008/04/prayer-ceremony-for-yellowstone-buffalo.html), that number may be as low as 1,436. And, it might drop further because a winter storm is on its way this weekend. It so disheartens me.

If rangers cannot speak out even though they are culpable, even as their families suffer from this, what can be done to empower them to do so. In anti-war movements, people have set up GI hotlines for conscientious objectors to speak out and to have advocates. Can we be doing more for rangers who would like to speak out and get out of this mess? Can we be doing more for their families? I'd be curious what you have to say about this. Just as soldiers not obeying orders can bring down a war; rangers who don't carry out the policies which lead to hazing, capture and slaughter could change buffalo policy and perhaps a lot more besides.