About a week ago, my husband and I and our group were on a bus tour that went to Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump, in southern Alberta. We had a wonderful guide… Lucas… who gave us so much information about the Blackfoot people, the Heritage site, and the buffalo hunt.
You can read more information at the Buffalo Jump site - https://headsmashedin.ca/
Here is a brief history of the site that comes from the HeadSmashedIn site.
History of the Site
- Designated a National Historic Site - 1968
- Designated a Provincial Heritage Site - 1979
- Designated a World Heritage Site - 1981
- Official opening of the Interpretive Centre with the Duke and Duchess of York - July 23, 1987
- The architect, Robert Lablonde, received the 1990 Governor General's award for Architecture. Since opening in 1987, the Interpretive Centre has welcomed over 2.75 million visitors from around the world.
Some of the things that we learned about:
- the different societies that make the buffalo hunt happen
- how the tribes always made sure that there was food available for those that travelled behind them… they did not want anyone to go hungry
- all the ways the buffalo was used beyond providing food
- what it means to be brave - try running in front of the buffalo
Plan to be at the site for several hours as there is much to see, and there are paths for hiking below the cliffs. There is a strong energy at the site, below the cliffs and it is worth experiencing.
Blessings,
Judy