Several Bands of Dakota were camped on the eastern reaches of the prairies near the present towns of Flandreau, S.D. and Pipestone, Minn. They had gathered to pray and dance to Wakantanka and ask for his protection and his blessing.

As told by the Dakota chronicler, Iron Shell, the story continues:

"And so it was, a most beautiful woman, dressed in the most lovely clothes, appeared to two young men who had been sent by the council of the Sans Arc to scout for buffalo. So bright and shining was her countenance, so perfect was her figure, that the two men were amazed.

As they beheld her, she spoke to them saying, I am of the Buffalo People. I have been sent to this earth to talk with your people. You have now an important duty to perform and an important message to carry to them.

Go to your leader and tell him to have a council tipi set up in the center of the village. Have the door of the tipi, like the entrance of the village, face the east. Have sage spread at the place of honor. Behind the fireplace, soften the earth and shape it in the form of a square. To the rear of this, place a buffalo skull. Behind the skull, build a small rack. I have matters of great consequence to tell your people. I shall be at the village at dawn.

As she spoke, one of the men, struck by her charm, lusted for her and when she had finished speaking, in spite of his companion's protests, he attempted to seduce her. Immediately a crash of thunder was heard and a cloud enveloped them. Gradually, as the cloud vanished, the remaining scout beheld the beautiful woman standing unmolested, while at her feet lay only a skeleton. She then directed the remaining young man to return to his village and report her message to his people.

When the scout returned to the camp, he told the headman. Buffalo-Who Walks-Standing-Upright, what he had witnessed and gave him the message as he had been ordered. The people were much alarmed by the story of the missing scout and much excited by the prospect of so mysterious a visitor. It was announced that special preparations were to be made for welcoming this stranger. Everything was made ready according to her instruction. An escort of virtuous young men was chosen to lead her through the village to the special tipi. By daybreak, a great assembly of people had gathered around the council tipi to await her arrival.

When the sun rose from the east, the beautiful woman appeared. She was dressed as she had been when first seen by the scouts. In her right hand she carried a pipe-stem, in her left hand, a red pipe-bowl. She walked slowly through the entrance of the village toward the council tipi. In a stately manner she entered it, circled to the left of the door, and sat down in the place of honor. When she was seated, the leader welcomed her.

The leader told the people how fortunate they were that Wakantanka had sent them this beautiful woman whom they would accept as a sister. Then he spoke to the beautiful one, telling her that her brothers and sisters were ready to hear her message.

Arising and holding the pipe, the Beautiful Woman first addressed everyone. She told them that Wakantanka was pleased with the Dakota People, that she, as a representative of the Buffalo People, was proud to be their sister. She told them that because they had been faithful and reverent and had preserved good against evil and harmony against discord, the Dakota had been chosen to receive the pipe which she held in behalf of all mankind. The pipe was to be the symbol of peace and should be used as such between men and nations. Smoking the pipe was to be a bond of good faith, and a Holy Man smoking the pipe shall be in communion with Wakantanka.

Then she addressed the women as her sisters, saying that in life they do bear great difficulties and sorrow, but in their kindness they comfort others in time of trouble and grief. By giving birth to children, by clothing and feeding them, by being faithful as wives, they maintain the family. Wakantanka has planned it so, and he is with them in sorrow and in grief.

Next she spoke to the children. as little brothers and sisters, who should respect their parents who love them and have made many sacrifices so that only good would come to them.

To the men she spoke as a sister. She told them that all things upon which they depend come from the Earth, the Sky, and the Four Winds. The pipe she held was to be used to offer sacrifices and prayers to Wakantanka for all the blessings of life - and it was to be offered daily. She told them to be kind and loving to women and children, for they are weak.

Finally, speaking to the leader, she explained how to care for the pipe, for as headman, it was his duty, to respect and protect it, since through the pipe the nation lived. As a sacred instrument of preservation, it should be used in times of war, famine, sickness or any other need. She instructed Buffalo-Who-Walks-Standing-Upright in the proper use of the pipe, and she promised the Dakota People that there would be revealed to them seven sacred ceremonies that they were to practice: Purification, Vision Seeking, the Sun Dance, the Ball Throwing, Making a Buffalo Woman, Making as Brothers, and Owning a Spirit.

She visited the Dakota four days. Before leaving, she told Buffalo-WhoWalks-Standing-Upright that she was honored to be his sister. And she told him that the way he had conducted the meeting pleased Wakantanka.

Then taking a buffalo chip, she lit the pipe, and offered it first to Sky, then to Earth, then to Four Winds. She smoked a puff and passed the pipe to the leader. When he had smoked a puff, she announced that her mission was finished, and laying the pipe against the rack, she left the tipi unescorted.

As she went from the tipi she turned to the left, walking slowly. She left the village, and then while everyone watched her disappear, she was transformed into a White Buffalo Calf. In this way, Whope, the daughter of the Sun and Moon, had returned to the earth to teach mankind. She was known to all as the Beautiful One and to the Holy Men as Whope.

In the old days, when a White Buffalo appeared in a herd, no kills were made in that herd. It was sacred.