(RAPID CITY, SD and WEST YELLOWSTONE, MT) - Seventh Generation Fund's Tatanka Oyate Project, Horse Butte Neighbors of Buffalo, and Buffalo Field Campaign are honored to share this public announcement of a traditional ceremony honoring wild buffalo to be held on Horse Butte Peninsula in Montana on Sunday, May 31st, beginning at 11 AM (MST).

The ceremony is open to all people, and all are welcome.

The traditional ceremony honoring wild buffalo will be led by Chief Arvol Looking Horse, 19th Generation Keeper of the White Buffalo Calf Pipe, on Gallatin National Forest lands on Horse Butte, wintering range and spring calving grounds for wild buffalo migrating beyond Yellowstone National Park borders into Hebgen Lake Basin following the Madison River.

Horse Butte is a culturally significant site, home to a spectacular array of native wildlife and plant species, with local villagers and a private wildlife preserve supportive of wild buffalo on the land.
Following the ceremony, a potluck and community meal will be served at 3 PM in the Union Pacific Dining Hall in West Yellowstone, Montana. Everyone is welcome and invited to join in for a potluck and community meal.

Buffalo Honoring Ceremony
Sunday, May 31st, 11 AM to 1 PM (MST)
Horse Butte, Hebgen Lake, Montana, Gallatin National Forest
The Buffalo Honoring Ceremony is Open to All, and All are Welcome

RECORDINGS - Protocols will be announced on what photos, video, and all recordings of the ceremony, if any, will be permitted. A press conference on Horse Butte will be held following the ceremony. News media, photographers, videographers, please RSVP with Stephany Seay, Buffalo Field Campaign, 406-646-0070 or bfc-media@wildrockies.org.

WHEN - Sunday, May 31, 2009, 11 AM to 1 PM (MST).
WHERE - Horse Butte, Hebgen Lake, Montana, Gallatin National Forest

DIRECTIONS -
ENNIS: Follow HWY 287 south for approximately 63 miles to the junction of HWY 191 and turn right. Go approximately 3 1/2 miles to Rainbow Point Road and turn right.

BOZEMAN: Follow HWY 191 south for approximately 83 miles to the junction of Rainbow Point Road and turn right.

WEST YELLOWSTONE: Follow HWY 191 north for approximately 5 miles to the junction of Rainbow Point Road and turn left.

FROM JCT OF HWY 191 AND RAINBOW POINT ROAD: Go 3.3 miles to Horse Butte Road (Horse Butte Lookout sign) and turn left. Go 1.3 miles to Forest Road 610A. Park your vehicle to allow traffic through. If soils are dry, the ceremony site is accessible by wheel chair.

To find travel directions to the gathering site for the ceremony online, enter this address in http://maps.google.com/maps FS 610A West Yellowstone, Montana 59758

EAGLE CLOSURE - The area from the junction west of Pine Avenue (Pine Needle Road) on Gallatin National Forest lands north of Forest Road 610 to the private property line is closed to all human intrusions (foot, car, bike, etc.) to protect the Horse Butte bald eagle nest.

LODGING - Accommodations in West Yellowstone, Montana and the surrounding area can be found online: http://www.westyellowstonechamber.com/sleep/

TRAVEL ADVISORY - May 22 (if snow and plow conditions allow) YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK may be open from Tower Falls to Canyon via Dunraven Pass; Long Lake Gate to Red Lodge via Beartooth Pass.

Potluck and Community Meal
Sunday, May 31st, begins at 3 PM (MST)
Union Pacific Dining Hall
200 Yellowstone Avenue, West Yellowstone, Montana

The Potluck and Community Meal is Open to All, and All are Welcome

Tatanka Oyate Project, Horse Butte Neighbors of Buffalo, and Buffalo Field Campaign are co-hosting a potluck and community meal at Union Pacific Dining Hall in West Yellowstone, Montana following the ceremony.

The purpose of our community meal is to share our gratitude with everyone who traveled near and far to participate in ceremony honoring America's wild buffalo on Horse Butte. We extend an open invitation welcoming all people to share in a meal together.

If you are bringing a potluck dish or dessert, please contact Michael 'Grumbles' Bowersox, Seeds of Peace, seedsofpeace@riseup.net or 406-646-0070. Thank you!

Potluck and Community Meal Directions
HWY 191 south to West Yellowstone. Continue on Canyon Street (HWY 191) to Yellowstone Ave. Turn right at Yellowstone Avenue and go to Dunraven Street.

HWY 20 east to West Yellowstone. Continue on Firehole Avenue (HWY 20) to Dunraven Street. Turn right at Dunraven Street and go to Yellowstone Avenue.

From YNP West Entrance. Continue on Yellowstone Avenue to Dunraven Street.

To find travel directions to the potluck and community meal online, enter this address in http://maps.google.com/maps 200 Yellowstone Avenue, West Yellowstone, Montana 59758.

To Save the Buffalo Nation, April 2008 declaration by Chief Arvol Looking Horse
"From the Buffalo Nation, our ancestors learned to have an honorable relationship of being connected with Un-ci Ma-ka; this "way of life" that identifies us of who we are as an O-ya-te (a People), with all it's sacred teachings. They understood the gifts from Un-ci and carefully lived in harmony with her wellbeing. For that reason, we hold them to be sacred. We co-existed in a good way until we were nearly destroyed. Ob un-ka-so-ta-pi tka. The sacred Buffalo Nation in these mountains are the survivors of that natural way of life. We are culturally and spiritually indebted to them and we still need their guidance, to remind us how to be at peace and harmony with Un-ci Ma-ka.

Let it be known that Yellowstone territory; the habitat of the last wild Buffalo Nation - is sacred ground, it has been a SACRED SITE for the First Nation's people, and for all humanity who hold deep respect for all Creation. The Buffalo Nation has confirmed this fact; by where they have ended up, continuing to survive in their natural migration, struggling to live in a peaceful manner. Our ancestors also gave us this message by fasting in this area long ago, as they recognized this place of sacredness. This understanding is how we maintain the balance upon Un-ci Ma-ka, to protect these places, especially for the survival of our future generations to come."

Buffalo Field Campaign is the only group working in the field, every day, to stop the slaughter of the wild American buffalo. Volunteers defend the buffalo and their habitat and advocate for their lasting protection. For more information, video clips and photos visit Buffalo Field Campaign.

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