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Teachings from the

Buffalo Lodge

Location: Hamilton, Montana

“Telling Legends” by H. Terpning

Note: The contents of this site are under copyright protection, 2004.

For centuries before the arrival of the Europeans, Native American men grew up knowing how to be men of strength and true character. This was because they lived in a society where they were confronted daily by strong examples they could emulate. In today’s world there are few such examples a young man can pattern himself after.

In the summer of 1997, high in the mountains of central Colorado, a group of over 3000 Native American men gathered to hear the unified voices of Elders representing over 100 North American tribes on what it means to be a man of character in today’s word.

Seven "Philosophies" were presented to them as a guide to becoming the very highest expression of what it means to be a man.

These teachings are being passed on to men of all races through an ancient tradition called the "Buffalo Lodge". Traditionally, a special lodge was set up in many Native American villages as a place where men of all ages could gather and share life’s lessons as well as its frustrations. This tradition is carried on today through the teachings of the Buffalo Lodge. These teachings are not for every man, but if you have long felt a pull in your heart towards Native ways, if you yearn to be the best man, father, mate or citizen you can be, then you may want to explore these teachings further. Through them you can learn how to truly honor and respect all of creation, including yourself.

The Seven Philosophies: © White Bison Inc.

Philosophy 1: How to relate towards women.

Philosophy 2: How to relate towards children.

Philosophy 3: How to relate to your community.

Philosophy 4: How to relate towards Elders.

Philosophy 5: How to relate towards Creation.

Philosophy 6: How to relate towards the Creator.

Philosophy 7: How to relate towards yourself.

Other teachings of the Buffalo Lodge discussed are the Seven Totems of a successful relationship

given to the Lodge by Alvin Baker, jr., Chippewa.

The Seven Totems {Levels} of a strong relationship.

1. Turtle=Truth

Truth is the foundation of any good relationship. First, you must be truthful with yourself, and then with those you would be in relationship…right from the start. It is foolish to build on a false base that will only be found out in the future. Often we think we will present ourselves as one thing hoping that once they get to know us, the thing we misrepresent will not matter.

2. Beaver=Commitment

Picture in your mind a beaver. They are what one would call “single minded”. They will work day and night to build a dam. The damn provides for a multitude of natures children. If something should threaten the damn they will work none stop until it is repaired. So it is with a relationship. It is like the damn, and if the relationship is one called forth by the Devine, then we need to be committed to doing whatever is needed to build, maintain or repair it.

3. Porcupine=Loyalty

Porcupines are the image of loyalty in a relationship. They will stay by the side of their partner even after they die. They will morn the loss for days, much as the elephants of Africa have been known to do. Being loyal to someone no matter what their condition or circumstance is vital for a good relationship. How do you talk about your partner when they are not around?

4. Wolf=Humility

If you watch a wolf pack, you will see what true humility is. It is understanding not only who you are in the pack, but who you are not. The only way an extended family can function properly is if everyone fulfills their role in that family. Are you an alpha leader? Or are you an uncle, one who helps the alpha fulfill its roll?

5. Bear=Courage

There is no more apt example of courage than that of a mother black bear defending her cub. Even in the face of certain death from a male grizzly bear, the black bear will be so full of love inspired courage that the grizzly will back down even though in the physical realm it would easily kill the mother. A good relationship needs to be defended with this kind of courage in order to access the supernatural help needed for its full expression.

6. Gitchi Sabe=Strength

This name translates into “Great Friend” and refers to what is known as “Bigfoot”. This being is a very real part of the Anishinobie existence with many reports of interaction through out the centuries. Since you may not have any first hand exposure to the Great Friend, I will describe what has been told to me. Gitchi Sabe is the most powerful, physically as well as in other ways, creature in the woods. It is also one of the most gentle. It depicts for us the gentile but firm use of amazing power to protect and nurture a relationship.

7. Eagle=Service

When Golden Eagles mate, they mate for life. Not only this, but should one of them die, the other will not find a new mate. There is a type of wedding ceremony called the “Eagle wedding”. It is when a couple who have been married for some time decides to devote their relationship to the service of the people. In the ceremony, vows are taken that if one of the couple should pass over, the pother will continue to serve the people instead of starting a new relationship. The entire focus of the Eagle marriage is to serve selflessly as a team. This kind of service is often only attempted after the children are grown and the couple has proven the strength and endurance of their relationship. It is the highest expression of a relationship to have Eagle medicine; it is to realize that the purpose of the relationship is to serve others.

"Buffalo prayer" by H. Terpning

Further teachings discussed are the Seven Lessons of Two Bears, keys to being who you were born to be.

The Seven Lessons of Two Bears

1. Receiving a Name

2. Gaining your Medicine

3. The Sweat Lodge

4. The Vision Quest

5. The Way of the Pipe

6. The “Facing of your fears”

7. The Seven Directions Ceremony

"Offering to the Sun" by H. Terpning

Two Bears is a typical modern man of mixed race; he raised a family of four children and faced all the common challenges of this day and age. Some of these were divorce, alcohol abuse, climb and crash of career, single parenthood, etc. He found ways to not only deal with these challenges, but ways to triumphantly overturn them to live a fulfilled and fruitful life.

How did he “discover” these lessons? He did not; they are the age old wisdom of the first Americans. Things tried and true, lessons that have survived centuries of challenge because the work!

These seven lessons are not from Two Bears, they are from the acumulated knowledge of those who have gone before us and as they were freely given to him, they are freely passed on to you. This is done knowing that they will not apply to everyone, but for those to whom they do; they can be one of the greatest gifts of your life.

What can you receive from these lessons? They are intended to help you find your own particular place and function in the great circle of life and help you become the highest expression of what you were meant to be. The lessons not only help you discover what you are here for, but also how to receive gifts and power to accomplish that purpose.

Lesson one: Receiving a Name. A name is given by the Great Mystery to help one understand who they are, who they are to become and what spiritual forces are aligned with them to help become the name. You grow into your name. You do not choose it; it chooses you, coming from the heart of the Mystery itself.

Lesson two: Gaining your Medicine. The “ingredients” of your “Nawodi”, or protection pouch, are gathered on a search in the wilderness that is lead by the spirits of nature. The items you receive on this search will indicate further entities that will be with you throughout your life to assist you in all you attempt. Some call them guides; others might refer to them as guardian angels. The symbols of these helpers are sewn into a pouch that you wear around your neck for the rest of your life, a physical reminder of the spiritual help you enjoy.

Lesson three: The Sweat Lodge. The sweat lodge is something that is used continually throughout your life to bring fresh insight, personal cleansing and renewal. It is a powerful ally in your personal development as well as in helping you become of grate assistance to others.

Lesson four: The Way of the Pipe. Caring for a personal Sacred Pipe is a life long relationship. This responsibility is not to be confused with being the caretaker of a Ceremonial Pipe, one used to bring assistance to a tribe or nation. A personal Pipe is a gift from the Creator that will help you become your highest expression of the wonder you are created to be.

Lesson five: The Vision Quest. Traditionally a boy coming into manhood would go on a vision quest to find out what his “calling” or purpose in life was. Today many men are wandering aimlessly without a clue why they are here. Through the vision received on this quest, you not only understand your purpose, but receive the gifts that empower you to accomplish it.

Lesson six: Facing your fear. If you are called into a life of spiritual service to others, you will most likely be given the opportunity to experience a ceremony called the “Night of Death” or the “Facing your Fear”. Through this ceremony you will be confronted by your greatest fears, overcoming them so you can help others face theirs.

Lesson seven: The Seven Direction Ceremony. Again, this ceremony is for those who are called to live a life of spiritual service. It is a kind of “gradation” ceremony wherein one is acknowledged by the spiritual realm as being ready to “walk as a servant”. Again, through this ceremony one receives the additional gifts and power to accomplish this life of service.

Who teaches these lessons?

Jim and the next generation

Buffalo Lodge leader Jim Tree is the author of the Book, "The Way of the Sacred Pipe," as well as a stone sculptor and Pipemaker. He is a spiritual advisor for, as well as a voting councle member of, the "Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of Pipemakers" in Pipestone MN. and serves on the advisory board of the E.T. Seton Institute {Black Wolf}

After several years of fully embracing the inter-tribal teachings passed on at the gathering in Colorado, he was asked by some of his Elders to pass them on to men through a traditional Buffalo Lodge. He was asked to do this not because he had memorized the teachings, but because he lived them in a day to day world. These teachings are not Jim’s; they are the wisdom of the ancestors passed down through the ages. They have survived because they work. Thousands of men have proven their effectiveness in today’s society.

The Buffalo Lodge is held every other Wendsday throughout the winter months near Hamilton, Montana, not over the internet. There is no charge for the Buffalo Lodge. If you are interested in learning more about the Buffalo Lodge teachings, contact Jim at:

“jimtree3@yahoo.com”