How a ranch on the Siksika First Nation became a destination for people seeking hope

Across many indigenous cultures, the white buffalo is a sacred animal because it's seen as a symbol of hope.

The story of how two white buffalo came to the Siksika First Nation, east of Calgary, is a story of light after darkness. Across many indigenous cultures, the white buffalo is a sacred animal because it’s seen as a symbol of hope. The story begins, however, in a residential school, a place where many indigenous children experienced trauma, loneliness, illness and abuse.

“I was born in a residential school. That’s when my mother and dad conceived me,” Lisa Big Snake explains. “I didn’t have an opportunity to be raised with my father. My mom left the school and my dad didn’t leave with her.”

Big Snake is now a successful business owner, mother and grandmother but the shadows cast by years of trauma passed down through generations have been difficult to overcome.

“For the first time in my life, I feel that I have a vision and I have a path that I’m going to walk with my head held high because as a young girl I felt that hopelessness that are youth are feeling now.”

In late 2019, Big Snake’s home community of Ochapowace First Nation east of Regina was struck by tragedy. A series of suicides had the community reeling and members reached out to Big Snake’s husband, Carlon, for help.

“They needed something in their community and I think the idea of a having a white bison would give hope,” he said.

Carlon Big Snake agreed to look for a white bison for the Ochapowace First Nation.  He made calls and followed leads in North and South Dakota, Missouri and Montana.

“They told me that a fellow with a white buffalo had moved to Canada,” he recalled.