The reindeer as spiritual messenger...

In the Arctic the shamanic peoples who live according to the rhythms of animals regard the reindeer as a spiritual messenger who travels between heaven and earth, transporting the shaman to the spirit world, where he gathers wisdom to bring back to help heal the community. The reindeer also carry the souls of the dead to the spirit world for rebirth, - from "Creation's Heartbeat, Following the Reindeer Spirit" by Linda  Schierse Leonard

Reindeer herder's song