Sleeping Buffalo Rock facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Sleeping Buffalo Rock
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 Location in Montana
Location in the United States
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| Location | Junction of U.S. Route 2 and Montana Highway 243, Saco, Montana |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| NRHP reference No. | 96000548 |
| Added to NRHP | May 17, 1996 |
The Sleeping Buffalo Rock is a special place in Montana. It is located near the town of Saco. This ancient rock is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was added to this important list in 1996.
Contents
The Story of Sleeping Buffalo Rock
This unique rock, shaped by wind and weather, once rested on a ridge. It overlooked the Cree Crossing on the Milk River. People saw it as the leader of a herd of buffalo. These buffalo were imagined in a nearby granite rock formation.
Ancient Markings and Beliefs
Old markings carved into the rock show its horns, eyes, backbone, and ribs. These carvings were made a very long time ago. For many centuries, Native American tribes in the Northern Plains have respected this rock. They believed it had special spiritual power.
Tribes and Their Stories
Many tribes knew about the Sleeping Buffalo Rock. These included the Cree, Chippewa, Sioux, Assiniboine, and Gros Ventre. Other tribes like the Blackfeet, Crow, and Northern Cheyenne also knew of it. Stories passed down through generations tell how the "herd" of rocks tricked buffalo hunters.
Native peoples share a deep connection between their spiritual beliefs and everyday life. An elder from the Chippewa-Cree tribe once said, "These rocks are sacred, just like our old people."
Moving the Rock
In 1932, the Sleeping Buffalo Rock was moved from its original ridge. It was taken to the City Park in Malta. People said the rock was restless there. Stories tell of it changing position and making bellowing sounds at night.
In 1967, the rock was moved again to its current spot. Later, in 1987, a larger rock called "Medicine Rock" joined it. The Medicine Rock was also found near Cree Crossing.
Continuing Importance
Today, these ancient rocks are still important. They are used in traditional ceremonies by Native American tribes. They connect people to their ancestors who lived on the plains long ago. As one elder explained, "The power of the prairie was the buffalo."
Sleeping Buffalo in Culture
The Sleeping Buffalo Rock is so well-known that it inspired a song. The musician Garnet Rogers wrote a song called "Sleeping Buffalo."
