On a family farm in Janesville, Wisconsin, a remarkable event unfolded, echoing a miracle from years past. Twelve years after the birth of Miracle, the sacred white buffalo calf, the Heider family witnessed another extraordinary arrival. In the early morning hours, following a severe lightning storm, a male white buffalo calf was born into their herd. Like his predecessor, this calf is not an albino, a distinction of significant importance.
The Legacy of Miracle
The story of the Heider farm and the white buffalo began on August 20, 1994, with the birth of Miracle. Born to Dave, Valerie, and Corey Heider, she was considered the first white buffalo calf born since 1933, an event of exceptional rarity. Beyond her biological uniqueness, Miracle held profound spiritual significance for numerous American Indian and Canadian First Nations tribes across North America. The Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota Nations, collectively known as the Sioux, regarded Miracle as a sacred symbol and considered themselves her primary spiritual guardians. She was seen as a pivotal figure in the fulfillment of their most revered prophecies.
Tragedy struck on September 19, 2004, when Miracle unexpectedly died of natural causes. According to Sioux prophecy, a female white buffalo would be born, destined to transform through the four colors of the medicine wheel (white, yellow, black, and red) during her lifetime before ultimately returning to white. This animal would symbolize the return of White Buffalo Calf Woman, a central figure in Lakota spirituality.
Miracle, in her short life, lived up to a portion of this prophecy. By the time she was six months old, she had indeed displayed the four colors of the medicine wheel. However, she eventually settled into a red and brown coloration as an adult. While she had begun to lighten again, her untimely death interrupted any further color changes, leaving unanswered the question of whether she would have returned to her original white. In remembrance of her significance, the Heiders had Miracle preserved by a taxidermist, and her mounted form is displayed in a museum on their farm, a testament to her enduring legacy.
A Second Chance: The Birth of Miracle’s Second Chance
On August 25, 2006, lightning, once again, seemed to herald a special event. Another white buffalo calf was born on the Heider farm, prompting Valerie Heider to name him "Miracle’s Second Chance." This lively and captivating male calf exhibits a confident demeanor, seemingly aware of his unique position.
Valerie Heider chose the name "Miracle’s Second Chance" because the calf displayed similar behaviors to Miracle as a calf. The physical resemblance between the two was also striking. Intriguingly, the herd seemed to recognize this similarity, treating Miracle’s Second Chance with the same protective care they had shown Miracle. He was kept at the center of the herd, the safest position, and the other buffalo mothers intervened to prevent their own calves from being too rough with him.
What makes this birth even more remarkable is that Miracle’s Second Chance is not genetically related to the original Miracle. His mother, a Grand Champion buffalo, was recently purchased in Missouri by the Heiders to enhance the genetic diversity of their herd. The sire, a young and somewhat unruly bull, was sent to slaughter before the calf was born. Interestingly, two other buffalo on the Heider farm are currently pregnant by the same bull, raising the possibility of further unexpected births.
The question remains: will Miracle’s Second Chance undergo the same color changes as Miracle, or will he remain white? Only time will tell.
The Increasing Rarity of White Buffalo
While Miracle’s birth in 1994 was considered a once-in-a-lifetime event, a surprising number of white buffalo calves have been born across the country since then. However, not all of these calves are considered "true" white buffalo. Some were albino, lacking pigmentation entirely, while others were reportedly the result of cross-breeding between buffalo and other bovine species, such as Charolais cattle or yak. Many of these calves, particularly the albinos, did not survive.
Despite the increase in reported white buffalo births, the genuine article remains exceptionally rare. Statistically, the chances of a buffalo being born white are estimated to be anywhere from 1 in 16 million to 1 in 6 billion, according to available information. The fact that three white buffalo calves have been born on the Heider farm (including one that died at four days old in 1997) is a testament to the extraordinary circumstances surrounding this location. The Heider’s plan to breed this new white buffalo bull calf with progeny from Miracle’s line.
The Sacredness of the White Buffalo
The birth of a white buffalo is steeped in spiritual significance for many Native American tribes, particularly the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota Nations. The White Buffalo Calf Woman is a central figure in their creation stories and prophecies. The birth of a white buffalo calf is seen as a sign of hope, renewal, and the fulfillment of these prophecies. It symbolizes a time of harmony and spiritual rebirth for all people.
Despite not being of Native American descent, the Heider family recognizes the profound spiritual significance of Miracle and now Miracle’s Second Chance. They consider them to be special gifts belonging to the hearts of all people. Furthermore, they acknowledge the sacred nature of the land on which their farm sits, a fact respected by the region’s Native American Nations.
The Heiders have consistently refrained from commercializing Miracle’s legacy. At considerable financial and personal cost, they opened their Wisconsin farm to thousands of visitors, free of charge, allowing people to visit Miracle at the pasture fence. She became a symbol of hope and renewal for humanity and for harmony between all cultures, drawing believers and the curious from around the world.
The birth of Miracle’s Second Chance is sure to draw crowds once again. While his male gender means he does not literally fulfill the Lakota prophecies associated with the return of White Buffalo Calf Woman, his sacredness to the indigenous Nations remains undiminished. People from all cultures will come to the Heider farm in reverence and prayer, to perform traditional ceremonies, or simply out of respectful curiosity.
The Challenges and the Future
The influx of visitors presents logistical challenges for the Heider family. Since Miracle’s death, the parking area had been converted into a cornfield. Additionally, with the passing of Valerie Heider’s parents and the relocation of some of their volunteers, the museum and farm product shop may not be consistently open, and guided tours to the pasture may not always be available.
Valerie Heider spends much of her time at the local farmers’ market selling farm products and buffalo meat, while her husband works for the Rock County Highway Department. This means the farm is not currently open to the public at all times. After dedicating a decade to Miracle and her visitors, the Heiders had hoped to return to a more normal life. The birth of Miracle’s Second Chance has understandably evoked mixed emotions, ranging from a sense of overwhelming responsibility to a deep awe and respect for the miracle they have witnessed.
Despite the challenges, Miracle’s Second Chance remains a strong, healthy, and rambunctious calf, delighting in playing in the pasture and interacting with the older calves. Unaware of the issues surrounding him, he lives in the moment, bringing smiles and memories to all who see him.
The Heider farm and Another White Buffalo Calf Born on the Heider Farm are an example of nature’s beauty. Despite the change in the family’s life, Another White Buffalo Calf Born on the Heider Farm reminds us that rare occurences are possible. To visit Another White Buffalo Calf Born on the Heider Farm call Valerie and David Heider at (608) 752-2224. Seeing Another White Buffalo Calf Born on the Heider Farm is a great way to spend the day.