Rare White Buffalo Calf Born in Yellowstone, Montana, Tribes Reveal Its Name

A rare white buffalo believed to have been born earlier this month in Yellowstone has been officially named by Native American tribe members.

The calf's momentous birth turned into a celebration that saw hundreds of people gather to reveal the animal's name.

The calf has been named Wakan Gli, which means “Sacred Return” in Lakota, according to the Associated Press (AP).

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The religious naming ceremony consisted of dancing, drumming, singing and reciting the prophecy of the white buffalo calf woman.

The birth of a white bison, a rare species, would mean that “better times” are ahead. This message would be both a blessing and a warning.

“It's up to each and every one of you to make this happen for the future of our children. We have to come together and bring back that good energy,” Chief Arvol Looking Horse said at the ceremony a few miles west of Yellowstone in southern Montana, the AP reported.

An estimated 500 people attended the sacred ceremony at the Buffalo Field Campaign headquarters – with representatives from the Colville tribes in Washington, Lakota and Sioux in the Dakotas, Northern Arapaho in Wyoming and Shoshone-Bannock in the Idaho.

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The calf has only been seen by a few people and even fewer have been able to take a photo of the white-furred animal.

Erin Braaten took stunning photos of the rare white calf earlier this month while she was with her family in Yosemite. (Erin Braaten: Dancing Aspen Photography)

A Montana photographer took pictures of the calf during a family vacation in Yellowstone.

Erin Braaten of Dancing Aspens Photography saw the creature and assumed it was a coyote.

“I raised my camera. I keep it to the side as we walk through the park, just in case something exciting happens…[I] “I just looked at it and it was definitely not a coyote but a young white bison,” Braaten told Fox News Digital.

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“[Capturing this photo] It's like one of those things you kind of dream about. [about and think]'Oh, that would be pretty cool to take a picture,' but I didn't really expect to have a chance.”

The rare calf has been named Wakan Gli, which means “Sacred Return” in Lakota. (AP Photo/Sam Wilson; Erin Braaten: Dancing Aspens Photograph)

The rare animal has not been seen since early June, but Yellowstone officials regularly monitor the area.

“Yellowstone is aware and [has] “We have been monitoring social media posts and media reports of the sightings. We cannot confirm at this time whether a white bison was born in the park,” a Yellowstone official told Fox News Digital.

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“We have staff who go out into the field regularly and if they identify the calf we will share that information. We recognize the importance of a white buffalo calf to Native Americans. »

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The birth of Wakan Gli is considered “a miracle” to the Lakota people and other Native American tribes.

“For the many tribes who revere the American bison — they call them “buffalo” — the appearance of the calf was both the fulfillment of a sacred prophecy and a message to better care for the Earth,” he said. reported the AP.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.