Say Hi To "Dakota Miracle"
White Cloud's Calf Named Selected
KCSi-T.V. News
Jamestown, ND -- White Cloud, the albino buffalo’s calf, in Jamestown has been named "Dakota Miracle." The announcement was made Tuesday (Jan 8th) at the National Buffalo Museum
in Jamestown.
The winning entry was submitted by Thomas Ray of Jamestown. Tom and his wife Linda selected Dakota Miracle because having two albino buffalo born in Jamestown and North Dakota is “a miracle.”
Dakota Miracle was born August 31st, 2007, at the pasture at Frontier Village in Jamestown.
The “Name White Cloud’s Calf,” contest officially began on September 18th, 2007 and ended November 30th, 2007. There were 1,374 submissions by individuals locally, and from, 27 states, plus Canada, and Germany.
National Buffalo Museum Director, Felicia Sargeant says, while White Cloud is the only certified living albino buffalo in the world, it appears she has company with Dakota
Miracle, although not officially.
Dakota Miracle is likely to be DNA tested at Texas A&M University, but, so far he has not changed color, and has blue eyes, indicating he’s probably an albino.
Ms. Sargeant says, deciding to have a naming contest, coming up with the winning name was put on the shoulders of the Naming Contest committee.
Members of the committee were: Nina Sneider, Buffalo City Tourism Foundation (2007-08 White Cloud
Sponsor); Jeff Andersen, representing the Jamestown Elks Lodge #995 (2007-08 White Cloud Sponsor); Mayor Clarice Liechty, representing the City of Jamestown; Tex Weatherly, President of the North Dakota Buffalo Foundation; and Felicia Sargeant, Director of the National Buffalo Museum.
She points out, the committee had their work cut out for them but managed to choose 12 finalists. Those names were turned over to the Shirek family of Michigan, North Dakota.
Daniel and Jean Shirek and their son, Paul are White Cloud’s owners and
the Shirek Buffalo Farm in Michigan is her birth place. The Shirek family made the final decision earlier this week.
Other names that were in the final consideration were: White Lightning, White Thunder, Snowball, and Blizzard.
White cloud gave birth to Princess Winona in July of 2000, and her off-spring is Dakota Thunder. Both names were selected in a contest, as well.
Ms. Sargeant told the gathering that White Cloud, and Dakota Miracle are both significant to the Lakota Sioux, and other American Indian Tribes, being rare, and indicates a crossroads in life....and, it’s hoped that Dakota Miracle will be a symbol to unite the world in peace.
She adds, local and state tourism officials have been notified of the name, and billboards through Newman Signs, will be updated with Dakota Miracle.
Color prints of Dakota Miracle, and White Cloud are available for purchase, numbered 1-125. 11-124 are available to the public, and Number 125 will be auctioned during this summer’s Jamestown 125th Anniversary
Celebration. Postcard copies are also available for purchase.
A small reception with refreshments was held following the press conference.
The formal annnouncement and comments and interviews with those on hand were recorded for THE CSi REPLAY CHANNEL 58.
The National Buffalo Museum is a non-profit educational organization devoted to the cultural and natural history of bison and the prairie. The museum is open year round.
Current hours are Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm, Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, and
closed Sunday. The Museum and the herd are located in the Frontier Village at the site of the “World’s Largest Buffalo” in Jamestown just north of interstate 94 at exit #258. For
more information contact Felicia Sargeant at the National Buffalo Museum,701-252-8648.
Back to Local Headlines
|
