Spirit of White Buffalo

Spirit of White Buffalo is a 12 foot tall kinetic sculpture of a sacred white buffalo, built with the participation of inmates of Drumheller Institution, bike fanatics, sculptor Jeff Deboer, dancer Stephanie Hawking, Wandering Spirit Native Awareness, pipe carrier Jack Pard, and many others.

Spirit of White Buffalo represents unity, and the sacredness of the buffalo spirit. She appears at events and parades when the weather cooperates.

2007 Winner of Best Western Theme, Calgary Stampede Parade
2009 Runner up Best Western Theme, Calgary Stampede Parade
2007 Best Float, Pikanii Indian Days

Canadian Theatre Review, Xstine Cook and Spirit of White Buffalo

Calgary Herald, Prison labour, Model T Ford help artist build unique parade float

Metro Calgary, Floating a message of hope

Big News for Spirit of White Buffalo 

2020 brought many changes. Spirit of White Buffalo was to represent Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum in the Banff Canada Day Parade and the Calgary Stampede Parade. But you know, Covid19.

The Museum is interested in giving Spirit of White Buffalo a permanent home. Recognizing the planning and resources required by this dream, and not wanting to exert extra stress on the Museum, CAOS is envisioning what a permanent display could look like, and how to find support for this dream.

In the summer of 2020, skilled animator and artist Keelin Baldwin-Maher appeared, with a desire to work on Spirit of White Buffalo.

We are sharing elements of a work is in-process, which will evolve and change as we consult with CAOS aboriginal liaison Stephanie Hawking, Lakota Chief Arvol Looking Horse, (keeper of the White Buffalo Calf Maiden Bundle), and with advisors and artists from Stoney Nakoda Nation, as well as the Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum in Banff.

These are pre-production elements for a short animated interpretation of the “making of” Spirit of White Buffalo.

If you’d like to help bring Spirit of White Buffalo to Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum, all donations are tax-deductible.