PLAYS WE LOVE: The Herd
By Kenneth T. Williams
Twin white bison calves are born on Treaty 4 Territory, home of Pitokahan Sakahikan First Nation. “In Lakota teachings, the birth of a white buffalo calf is a symbol of hope…similar I guess in a Christian context to the second coming” says Williams. I love the intricate and sometimes hilarious web that Williams rolls out after the calves are born; a blogger shows up to get the scoop, followed by hoards of fanatical pilgrims who start to camp out, and the European Union shows up because they’ve got a stake in bison meat. Meanwhile Indigenous researcher Vanessa Brokenhorn is just trying to re-introduce a healthy herd of bison to the land. Williams’ writing is funny – poking at rampant capitalism, media culture, and pop spiritualism while centering Indigenous identity and spirituality. What happens when a prophecy is birthed? And what does everyone do next?
—Lois Anderson
