I found this little article to back up my claim.. since you probably wont believe me. Read and weep KR.. here is the story of the close kinship of the Native Americans with the American Buffalo. And you say the Buffalo wasnt important to us, who's the idiot now!
Many would agree there has been no greater kinship in nature than that which existed between the American Indian and the American buffalo. The Plains Indians revered the buffalo with awe, celebrating their almost mystical bond with the animals through tribal legend, sacred ritual and art. The Indians depended on the buffalo for their basic necessities of life, including food, clothing and shelter.
The buffalo was also very intertwined with the spiritual beliefs of these ancient tribes. In some tribes, warriors performed spiritual dances, calling upon the animal’s strength to assist them in the hunt or in battle with the enemy. Even unto this day, the buffalo plays a prominent role in many sacred legends of the Native Americans.
One of the oldest legends in the history of America’s Native Americans is the Legend of the White Buffalo. For generations, the Lakota Sioux, amongst many others, have passed down the story of the White Buffalo Calf Woman. It is a legend that symbolizes hope, signifies a desire for peace and harmony, and is above all things a cry for balance in the natural world.