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No
visit to southern Alberta is complete without a stop at
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump.
Located 18 kilometres north and west of Fort Macleod, this UNESCO
world heritage site is one of the largest, oldest and
best-preserved buffalo jump sites in all of North America.
The site, which welcomed its two millionth visitor in 2006, tells
the story of a custom practiced for nearly 6,000 years by the
original inhabitants of the plains.
According to legend, the name Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump comes
from a young Peigan boy who stood under the cliff during one
particular hunt to get an up-close view of the buffalo falling
over the ledge. However, the hunt that day was particularly large,
and the young brave was soon crushed under the pile of dead
buffalo.
The five levels of the interpretive centre each tell a different
aspect of the area’s rich history.
The first level, Napi’s World, introduces the visitor to the
environment of southern Alberta and introduces the origin of the
Plains Aboriginals and how they learned to hunt the buffalo.
On level two, Napi’s People shows the lifestyle of the Plains
people and includes a reconstructed tipi and offers visitors a
hands-on approach with a selection of artifacts.
The third level tells the story of the jump sites, including the
gathering basin, drive lanes and the cliff. The ceremonial
significance of the hunt is also discussed. This level also
includes a theatre showing a film that recreates a buffalo drive.
On the fourth level, Cultures in Contact, the arrival of the
European settlers and the positive and negative impacts they had
on the Plains people is explored.
On the final level, Uncovering the Past shows the archaeology
behind the interpretive centre and how to study and learn about
the past. The centre will mark National Aboriginal Day on Sunday,
June 21 with a celebration to recognize the contributions of First
Nations’ people to the fabric of Canadian society. Blackfoot
drummers, dancers and historians will be on hand to entertain and
workshops featuring story-telling and traditional games will be
held.
Every Wednesday during July and August the entrance to the centre
will feature some of the best Native dancers in all of western
Canada performing to live Blackfoot drumming and singing.
The traditional dance, hoop dance and fancy dance are a few of the
dances that might be seen each week. The lively and colourful
performances take place at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
Head-Smashed-In will celebrate its 22nd birthday on Wednesday,
July 22. This event will feature many special activities and
performances from the Aboriginal and international communities and
will feature free admission to the jump.
On Saturday, Nov. 28 the interpretive centre will host Heritage
Through My Hands. Native crafts people will demonstrate and
display their artistic skills and entertainers will be on hand for
dance demonstrations. A children’s crafting workshop, silent
auction and door prizes will all be part of the pre-Christmas
festival.
From May to September the tipi camping program offers guests the
chance to sleep beneath the stars in an authentic Blackfoot tipi
on the site of thousands of years of history and culture. Packages
include hiking the trails, exploring the interpretive centre and
sampling traditional Native cuisine.
Open year-round, the centre also includes a cafeteria, gift shop
and over two kilometres of walking trails.
For more information call 403-553-2731 or visit the Web site at
www.head-smashed-in.com. |
