Help Our Cause
WBA & SWPC & A
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
Our Mission
To provide care for the white bison in a non-kill sanctuary and DNA- tested white bison breeding programs, in order to promote healthy growth of the white bison population. We provide educational programs that tell the story of how the white bison became a very important symbol of peace.
Our Partners
About Us
Dr. Cynthia Hart - Button, Founder & President of SWPC & SWPA and WBA
Owner & Caretaker of the Herd
I was born in Harrisburg, PA, into the lineage of the Hunkpapa Lakota and am a direct descendant of Sitting Bull. From a young age, I witnessed my father’s deep compassion for animals—he dedicated his life to caring for sick and abused wildlife, as well as animals rescued from circuses. It was only on his deathbed that he revealed our sacred lineage and the message that I was being called upon to care for and protect the White Buffalo.
Through my father, I was introduced to revered figures such as Frank Fools Crow (Lakota ceremonial leader) and Will Sampson (Native American actor). After my father’s passing in 1988, I began my journey, though I did not yet fully understand the path that lay ahead.
In 2001, I received a call from Grey Wolf and Barry Erickson, seeking help for four White Bison whose owner had suffered a heart attack. The bison needed to be moved from South Dakota to the Grand Canyon area. When I went to see them, I fell in love. My father’s words echoed in my heart—I knew this was my calling. Determined to protect them, I raised the necessary funds, relocated the herd, and have been their caretaker ever since.
Today, at the White Bison Association, I continue this sacred commitment, ensuring that these rare and spiritually significant beings live in peace and protection for future generations.
You can read more about my journey in my book, The Light Within: My Journey Home to the White Buffalo, where I share the incredible experiences, challenges, and spiritual lessons that have shaped my life with the White Bison.
Kari Noren - Hoshal - Vice President
Kari Noren-Hoshal has been with the Sacred World Peace Alliance for 13 years since 2011, serving as Secretary and now Vice President. Raised in Latin America and Egypt, she became interested in indigenous sacred practices at an early age. With a foot in both worlds, Kari is an evolutionary astrologer of over 25 years of experience and a language educator for over 30 years. She also has extensive experience in sales and marketing in educational publishing and the sales of feature films and documentaries. Kari’s experience of living in Italy, France, the UK, Egypt and Latin America helps to bring an international perspective to the alliance. She presents workshops for the alliance on evolutionary astrology and Maya astrology.
Secretary : Paige Backlund Jarquin DrPh MPH
Founder, The Center for Authentic Community Engagement.
A change agent, bridge builder, light worker, and professional facilitator, Paige has over 20 years of experience working in, with, and for communities across the globe. Her greatest passion is supporting groups and individuals working at the forefront of social change.
She is the founder of The Center of Authentic Community Engagement through which she provides coaching, consulting, training and facilitation services to support institutions and organizations in engaging the wisdom of community partner in their work.
Paige is a student of continually learning and holds a bachelor's degree in Biology from Colorado State University, with a Masters in Public Health (MPH) in Community Health Education and a Doctor of Health (DrPh) in Community & Behavioral Health, both from the Colorado School of PublicHealth
Mary Clark: Secretary of Directors
My name is Mary Clark and I am honored to be the secretary of SWPA and WBA. I am a single mom of three young adults, and we all reside in Ohio. I work full time for QVC/HSN, volunteered for Girl Scouts, and am currently a Boy Scout merit badge counselor. I enjoy spending time with my children, sewing, being out in nature and among the White bison herd.
Charles Button : Director of Music and Bison Caretaker
Charles comes from a lineage of ancestors who were noted in American History. Button Qwinnett's signature is on the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Button was knighted in England for his expertise in guiding the Hudson Bay Expedition. The Button Brigade were well known by Revolutionary Wars soldiers as leatherworkers and made their service gear. Charles is a renowned musician, recording artist and actor. His music has been featured in films and television. He has worked with many accomplished musicians. Charles won the 2008 Native American Music Award for "Best Producer". Charles dedicated 13 years with the Navajo Reservation Charity " Star in the Desert". This charity built youth centers and rehabilitated children that were in prison. He joined the White Bison Mission with Cynthia after they met and had married in Sedona Arizona.
Assistant to the Board. Dr.Harriet McMahon Teacher and Ceremonial Facilitator
Harriet McMahon, Ph.D., is a Counselor, Ordained Minister, author and she has also studied with a variety of Indigenous cultures whose cosmology teaches us how to heal the earth as well as individual healing. Harriet is an expedition leader, guiding students to varies places in South America, South Africa and the U.S. sharing these teachings with her students firsthand.She has been initiated by some of the most respected teachers to practice and teach the healing arts of the indigenous people of the
Andes and other cultures. Harriet earned her certificate in Hypnotherapy and Regression Therapy through the Inner
Guidance Psychotherapy Center as well as the National Guild of Hypnotists. She is an ordained minister through Spiritual Sciences and the International Metaphysical Ministry and a certified Life coach.Harriet's mission is to continue studying various cultures and healing traditions and bring them to as many people willing to receive them as she can. She is the owner of Creative Growth and Healing. In the past she was the owner of a Peruvian store and Stress Busters Inc. which allowed her to guide corporations
and their staff in her stress reduction techniques. Harriet served as a committee member on the United Nations International Day of Peace project."My path has taken me through such an amazing journey of healing, joy and self discovery as well as realizing the true
beauty in everything that I encounter. It is important for all of us to reawaken and return to sweet relationships with oneself and Mother Earth."
Meg Clark - Educational Adviser on Animals
Hi, my names is Meg Clark and I have a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from Lourdes University. I have worked at the Toledo Zoo for 9 years in the Education Department, teaching the public about animals and the natural world.
Rankin Events & Design/Enlightened Events
Antonia Rankin
Rankin Events & Design/Enlightened Events
Event and wedding design planner/coordinator for over 25 years, specializing in
providing the dream event/wedding you envision. As a non-denominational
minster, I also favor non-traditional wedding ceremonies including Native
American, Celtic and of course, traditional with your added input. As a floral and
event space designer, I specialize in helping with floral choices, color coordination
and lighting. Whether you require a full planning process a year out, just the day-
of coordination or hourly consultation, I offer the ‘insider’ expertise to help you
create the perfect event for you, your family and guests. Weddings and events
with consciousness!
Antonia is always available by email at: antonia@rankinevents.com or press contact to call her today!
GIta Thandile-Teacher of Ritual & Ceremonial Workshop
Gita Thandika
Gita Thandika (Nevada City, CA, USA) is an Ayurvedic practitioner, yoga teacher, business coach, and elder sundancer in the Lakota lineage of the Native American Church. Thandika has trained in ancestral healing with Dr. Daniel Foor over the last decade. She is excited to guide others in this work that has been so empowering in her own healing journey. Gita was raised in Apartheid, South Africa to a Zulu mother and Tamil father, who instilled in her a strong sense of social justice and respect for cultural diversity. This spirit of reverence for resilience, and creativity influences her approach to ritual, ceremony, and ancestral healing.
White Bison Personal Photographer
Kurt Shaffer
Kurt has been selected to be the only approved photographer to The White Bison. HIs work aligns with our mission. Kurt captures the beauty in ever moment. When he is shooting sacred moment in a persons life, agriculture, historical monuments, skylines, or natures phenomemons you feel the energy like you are right there. Check out more of Kurts work.
Website Design and Marketing Specialist
Erica Lysyj
Erica designs websites, and formulates marketing strategies for small businesses in the greater Cleveland area. Her passion is to help small business have an online presence. Erica's love and passion for helping others has been instrumental in the White Bisons current journey to help us educate other,