Buffalo Spirit Cushion

It is believed among my people, the Oglala Lakota Sioux, that long, long ago the people once lived in the underworld, where they had always been comfortable. One day, Iktomi, the spider (trickster), tricked the People (Buffalo People - Pte Oyate) and told them that life would be much better if they were to live on top of the earth. The people came out from the underworld at a place known today as "Wind Cave" in the Black Hills of modern-day South Dakota. When the people came out they realised that life was very harsh, and they were unable to return to the underworld again. On seeing the suffering, Tatanka, a Holy man who warned the people not to go, turned himself into a buffalo so the people would have food and shelter. Tatanka, stayed with the people and became a great Nation, always connected and related to the Lakota.