Rare White Bison Birth Celebrated by Indigenous Tribes

On the edge of Yellowstone National Park, a remarkable sighting, bringing together indigenous tribes from across the west, the birth of a rare white bison so sacred to the people here it's thought to fulfill an ancient Lakota tribe prophecy. Today, the miraculous birth being commemorated with ceremony song, and for the first time the reveal of a name.

Wakan Gli, returns sacred. It's a blessing, but it's a warning.

Lakota Chief Arvol Looking Horse says in tribal lore, it's similar to the second coming and part of a personal, lifelong journey.

This is a spiritual awakening. It's a fulfillment of our prophecy. It's our responsibility to take care of Mother Earth.

This spiritual connection to the bison they share the land with runs deep, representing strength and abundance to indigenous cultures. Herds that once numbered in the millions are now managed in Yellowstone at about 5,000 after being hunted to near extinction across the country. And here, there is no record of a white bison being spotted. That is, until now.

It seemed unreal that I just was so lucky to be one of maybe a dozen people that got photographs of this thing.

Photographer Jordan Creech captured these images of the white-haired calf the day it was born on June 4th.

Might know how important it is to the native culture to have been able to capture that, I'm happy I could share it.

The elusive animal has not been seen since. But to the tribes gathered here, it doesn't matter if it's ever seen again. What's important is its birth, serving both as a symbol of hope and prosperity, and a reminder of how we should all treat each other.

Brings tears into my eyes every time I think about it, because this shouldn't happen in our time, and it did.

This gift of life and the blessing of a new beginning. Steve Patterson, NBC News, Yellowstone National Park.

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