…from Dena &
Jim Riley
In December 2001, we moved our buffalo from South Dakota to Flagstaff,
Arizona. This move could not have been accomplished without our
“White Buffalo Angels.”
Our first angel on the scene was A.S. Barry from Jerome, Arizona.
From the very first call, Barry was on the buffalo move project.
I’m not sure if he got any sleep after we talked the first
time. Barry’s timeless effort and love helped make the move
from South Dakota to Flagstaff a reality. He was like a butterfly
fluttering from one task to another. And he did this all within
45 days. What a GREAT guy!
Barry got the word out and let people know we needed help. Shanti
Haydon from Sedona jumped onboard and helped with funds for the
trip down from South Dakota. This paid for the transport trailer
for the buffalo, gas and food for the white buffalo family and the
trailers needed to haul our personal belongings. Thank you,
Shanti. We are forever grateful.
Helene Rothschild with Joyful Living in Sedona—a non-profit
Peace Organization—took donations from those who sent funds
to help pay for the relocation project. Helene has been a great
friend and a great supporter of the white buffalo. She has donated
her beautiful writings and inspirations that we sell in the gift
shop that help feed and care for the buffalo. We love you, Helene.
Jeanie Sevon was Barry’s sidekick. Jeanie made numerous phone
contacts, and kept Barry together by organizing the fund raising
events. She was a great help every step of the way. Jeanie also
made it possible for John Easterling of The Amazon Herb Company
to make and provide special herbs to help keep the buffalo calm
during the long move from South Dakota to Flagstaff. Jeanie sprinkled
the herbs on to the buffalo’s hay while traveling. Upon arriving
in Flagstaff twenty-nine hours later, the buffalo were very relaxed
and walked calmly out of the trailer—eating and drinking right
away. We would like to thank the indigenous people in the Amazon
for sharing their rainforest with us and making these great herbs.
Thank you Jeanie and John for everything.
Jeanie and Dena happen to share the same birthday. It just so happens
that Barry, Jeanie, Dena and Jim are all born under the Leo sign
in August. Who would figure!
Barry also arrived in South Dakota with a few angels to help us
move. One was Silvia Alina of Cottonwood. She wrote our first article
in the “Four Corners Magazine” published by Lane Badger
of Sedona.
Gil Aguilara and his brother in-law Raul, drove up from Hurley,
New Mexico to help move the buffalo from South Dakota. Gil drove
one of the U-haul trucks, and Raul pulled the trailer with all the
panels for the temporary fence. Gil being of Apache blood and of
high status with the Lakota made it possible for the buffalo to
be blessed before the journey.
Before leaving South Dakota, Richard Swallow of the Standing Buffalo
Clan and his elder father and mother did a ceremony to ensure a
safe trip and to bless the buffalo. This was a very beautiful and
memorable ceremony indeed. Thank you, Gil, for giving us a great
send off. And lest we forget, there was also a golden eagle
waiting at the edge of the Black Hills bidding us farewell.
Walt “Ironpipe” Mitchell drove by himself to South
Dakota from Sedona to join in the move. He hauled our trailer with
the fuel tanks behind his truck trying his best to keep behind the
buffalo trailer. About three hours into the trip, Julie Brinkley
of Hot Springs, South Dakota joined the caravan. Julie was a dear
friend of the buffaloes that helped us since 1999. She was our buffalo
sitter when we needed her. Julie and Walt jockeyed for position
behind the buffalo trailer. It kept us amused for a good part of
the trip. We will miss you, Julie. Thank you for everything
and most of all your friendship.
Bill Paulsen of Custer, South Dakota and his family were the trip’s
heroes. Bill led the way to Flagstaff hauling the Sacred White Buffalo.
Bill had hauled for us before, and we felt very comfortable with
him making the drive to Flagstaff. His family came along and made
it into a small vacation. We picked only the best to haul our precious
babies! Thank you, Bill, for taking such good care of them on
the trip.
The move from South Dakota to Flagstaff, Arizona was a straight-through
drive. We had to think about the buffalo—not ourselves. Buffalo
rest during the night but are restless during the daylight hours
so we felt that by driving straight through we would reduce their
stress.
There was road construction in Albuquerque, and with nine vehicles
we needed to ensure we made it through town before we could curl
up in our front seats to take a break and get a little rest. We
arrived on the outskirts of town around 4:00 AM and slept till 6:00
AM. Then we were off again.
Arrival In Arizona
Dec 18, 2001, 2:22 PM
Reporters
and cameramen from Flagstaff and Phoenix news stations greeted us
when we arrived outside Flagstaff. Drums were beating with joy.
Singing was heard throughout the hills, and many people from all
races were there to greet the buffalo. 
Not having a corral for the buffalo meant we had to build one.
There was snow on the ground, and it was cold, but the sun was shining
brightly. Everyone started to help us put together the fence. It
didn’t take long before we were ready to open the trailer
and let the buffalo step out onto their new home soil.
Willy Wonka, the herd bull, stepped out first and looked around
as if to say hello to everyone. He then proceeded to eat some hay
and head for the water tank for his first drink. The rest of the
herd—Miracle Moon, Rainbow Spirit, Peace Pilgrim, Big Momma
and Sweetie—came out of the trailer just as calm as Willy.
I believe they knew they were home.
Rick Richards from ABC Flagstaff Water Company donated water tanks.
It was an immense help to have the water already there. Rick also
filled the holding tanks on the property—a total of 6,000
gallons. Thank you, Rick, for being there for us. We truly appreciate
it.
Inside the building, a wood stove was burning to keep us warm and
a pot of beans was waiting to fill our tummies and keep our insides
warm. People had donated food and refreshments for the welcome home
celebration. You could feel the energy of the people—happy
that the white buffalo had finally come home to Arizona.
Mona Hedin and her husband were there with her eight-foot painting
of “The Promise.” Mona was spiritually directed to paint
this image, which included the image of a white buffalo. Mona graciously
donated some prints of “The Promise” to the gift shop.
Bless you, Mona, for being the great artist you are and giving
in order to help the buffalo. Those who give will then receive.
Asher Lyons from California was there the first day we arrived.
He talked to people while Jim and I worked getting things in livable
order. He collected donations and told the visitors about the buffalo.
Asher loves to cook and kept us in stitches imitating his father.
Asher is studying to be an actor. He was on his life’s journey
and was headed to the Grand Canyon when he discovered that the white
buffalo were relocating to Flagstaff. He stayed with us for a couple
months. We couldn’t have done it without you, Asher. May
you walk in beauty forever. You are the GREATEST.
Dr. Arwyn E. Larkin (Dreamwalker) and her partner Tree have been
a Godsend to us. They were there the day we arrived. They came by
a week afterwards because a storm was coming, and they knew we were
without water and electricity, and the only thing we had for heat
was a wood stove. Arwyn and Tree brought wool ceremony blankets
to keep us warm, candles for light, and food. True angels, they
have become part of our family. They are truly concerned about the
buffalo and our well being. They have brought many from all over
the world to see the buffalo, have heard our cries for help, and
have been there for us every time. They and their friends helped
us make it through the first winter. They also introduced us to
our beautiful angel from Germany, Regina Schulz. Regina made it
possible for us to get fencing and a generator. The European community
has been there for us helping with funds during the hardest times.
Special thanks to all these people as well as the Morning Star Lodge
which graciously sent funds to help us get through our first winter.
Thank you so much Arwyn. You have been a Godsend.
God Bless you all. You are beautiful people. You certainly could
teach the world a few things when it comes to helping one another
and coming together as one.
We had the pleasure of hosting Peter Maier of Munich and Petra
Springer of Humburg, Germany during our first few months in Arizona.
They stayed for two and a half months to help us put up fencing
and get the shop open for business. Petra helped with the lettering
for the signs on the ranch. Being bilingual was very helpful with
the tourist. Peter and Petra both loved all the animals and fit
in well. They turned out to be excellent tour guides. All they asked
for in return was friendship. They jumped in with all fours and
did whatever was needed. Peter learned to drive his first tractor
and to be a buffalo rancher. After touring the states for fourteen
months they returned to Germany. We never had the pleasure of being
with such kind and loving people. They are now back in Germany telling
the people about the World Peace White Buffalo and their significance.
Peter and Petra, we will always miss and love you. Come back
soon!
The first year started out with a bang. When we arrived in Arizona
we found ourselves up against the County’s Planning and Zoning
Board of Directors. We lost our first hearing but we came back and
appealed to the board of supervisors.
It is with great appreciation that we thank our neighbor and attorney,
John G. Gliege, who fought so hard to help us stay here. Many supporters
came forward on our behalf. We thank all of you for being there
for us. We won the vote with the supervisors hands down. YES! YES!
YES!
This was a start to a very big project we had in front of us. With
all your help we were able to get quite a bit accomplished. Boyer
Metal of Flagstaff installed two heating units—one for our
living quarters and one for the gift shop. This had to be done before
we could obtain insurance and close escrow. This also allowed us
to keep the visitors warm during the winter season. I must say it
was worth the three-month wait with only the wood stove to keep
us warm and to cook on. Thank you, Jim, for being so patient
with us.
It took quite a while to get the firewall completed, which was
required by the planning and zoning commission. We finally finished
it in November. This needed to be done because we had living quarters
in the same building as the gift shop.
Bob Corrigan with Empire Builders helped us with permits for the
signs, wheel chair requirements and other building code requirements.
Thank you, Bob. You came through when we needed you the most.
Ed and Rose Celestine of Flagstaff are our dearest and sweetest
friends. They found out about the buffalo from Emily Begay—Ed’s
coworker. Emily and her family who are from Many Farms, Arizona
were our very first visitors in Wyoming in July 1999. They had a
pipe that they wanted blessed by Miracle Moon. We first met Ed and
Rose in September 1999 when they came to visit us in Wyoming. This
visit started a very precious friendship. When we moved to Arizona,
Ed and Rose gave us a key to their place. They knew we had no hot
water so they allowed us to take showers and wash our clothes in
their beautiful home.
New Year’s was very special. There were many visitors here
to help us bring in 2002. Only arriving two months earlier, we were
still in chaos so people showed up with food, drinks and utensils.
It was a wonderful New Year’s celebration.
Spring arrived, and we had a very big surprise when we received
a call from John Goheen from Denver, Colorado just days before the
Easter weekend. John and his teenage daughter were on their way
to Northern Arizona University. John was coming to show the Navajo
girl’s track team the documentary that featured them. John
produces documentaries for “National Geographic Today.”
It just so happened it was a beautiful and sunny day in which to
do a piece on the white buffalo’s life. We truly appreciate
John’s concern that we did not have TV service in order to
watch the documentary. He was kind enough to send us a video to
share with visitors. John plans to do an update now that Arizona
Spirit has been born. John you did a fantastic job. Keep up
the good work, and you can visit us anytime.
March 2002 we had a very special couple come visit the buffalo—Francis
and Eva Billy. Their main home is in Tuba City, Arizona. Their part-time
home is in the Village of Grand Canyon where they both work. They
heard about the buffalo’s arrival by reading the article in
the Arizona Daily Sun. Being of Navajo blood, Francis and Billy
were curious.
When Francis and Eva first visited us, Francis let me know if we
ever needed electrical work to let him know. This happens to be
his trade. Well after a few weeks, we realized the wiring in the
building was completely CRAZY and a bad accident was just waiting
to happen. I called Francis for help. He and Eva were great. They
came between their jobs, volunteered their time and worked countless
hours to help us get the place ready. At times, they spent the weekend
with us. They put up lights and fans in the gift shop and helped
us ready the place for inspection.
Francis is a traditional dancer and we look forward to helping
with the regalia he will wear while performing. His attire will
represent the white buffalo. Francis and Eva, thank you both
for coming into our lives. You have taught us many things. We love
you both very much.
In August we got a “son-in-law.” Black Jack is a three-year-old
Canadian Bison bull. We purchased him from Bill and Lee Ann Bolinger
at the Ranch Art Ranch in Freona, Texas. This was the same place
we got Willy Wonka, but he and Black Jack are not related. Black
Jack was purchased to breed with the two offspring females of Willy
Wonka and Miracle Moon. We would like to acquire more land for the
buffalo so they have more freedom to roam like they did in South
Dakota and Wyoming. We appreciate your prayers in helping this happen.
In September 2002 we had a family of three come see the buffalo—a
mother and her twin boy and girl. They had just moved to Flagstaff
a couple weeks prior from Maryland. Gailyn is a massage therapist
and specializes in neuromuscular massage. She called us after visiting
the first time to offer her services. Jim shared with her that he
was born with a muscle disorder, and she was drawn to work on him.
Jim’s muscles work 24/7 without ever stopping.
I must say Gailyn never gave up offering us complimentary massages,
and her persistence finally paid off. Once Gailyn started working
on Jim’s muscles, she was able to release muscles that had
never been relaxed his entire life. She is now working at the athletic
club in Flagstaff. Every Sunday, she brings her fourteen-year-old
twins, Devin and Dillon, to volunteer on the ranch. They passed
their first test scooping poop out of the pens for the miniature
horses and the goats. Devin is more outgoing than Dillon and takes
the people out to see the buffalo. Dillon has learned to drive the
tractor and drags the pasture when he can. Looks like they found
a new family in Flagstaff. Gailyn, Devin, and Dillon we’re
glad you came into our lives. Keep up the good work.
Mark Peebler from It’s All Good worked with Barry after we
arrived in Flagstaff and donated his time to put together this website.
Thank you Mark and Barry for doing a great job. Barry was gracious
enough to answer the e-mails that were sent the last year. We are
now CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET at the ranch. Hip, hip, hooray!!!
Thank you, Mark!
Thanks also to the Sedona, Flagstaff, Williams/Grand Canyon
Chambers of Commerce. We appreciate all your help and support.
We have had people from every continent on the globe come visit
these sacred and special beings.
Now last—but not least—we can give a GREAT BIG THANK
YOU to the people that have come to see our special babies. Without
you we wouldn’t have made it. If I did not mention you in
this piece please know you are not forgotten. It is important to
us that we keep balance and harmony with all that cross our paths.
White Buffalo represent WORLD PEACE.
Sincerely,
Jim and Dena Riley
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