Native Americans celebrate white bison birth

GOSHEN, Conn. -- The birth of a white bison, among the rarest of animals, is bringing Native Americans who consider it a sacred event to celebrate at one of the least likely of places, a farm in New England.

Hundreds of people, including tribal elders from South Dakota, are expected to attend naming ceremonies later this month at the northwestern Connecticut farm of Peter Fay, a fourth-generation Goshen farmer.

Native Americans in the area have come with gifts of tobacco and colored flags for Fay and the bull calf since it was born a month ago, and Fay is planning to offer his hay field as a campsite for the expected crowds.

"They say it's going to bring good things to all people in the world. How can you beat that? That's the way I look at it," Fay said.

Connecticut farms host only about 100 bison, a tiny fraction of the populations in Western states, such as South Dakota, the home of Sioux tribes that attach the greatest spiritual meaning to white bison.

Fay, whose family were dairy farmers, took on bison four years ago as a hobby, enamored by the animals' toughness. He built his herd to 40 before recently selling half of them.

Fay invited Native Americans for the ceremonies at his farm below Mohawk Mountain. In turn, he and his two daughters were asked to participate in the celebrations, which will include a feast and talks by the elders. -- AP