Head Smashed In
Buffalo Jump is
a designated a 'UNESCO
World Heritage Site'. It is located in the
S.W. corner of Alberta
18km
N.W. of
Fort Mcleod. Several hundred
years ago the
Blackfoot
Native Indians used the cliffs here
to kill
Buffalo that they depended on
for their survival. This was done by
herding the
Buffalo then
stampeding
the herd over the local cliffs.
The
1st Nations
Blackfoot
Indians have a profound
attachment to this area.
Their
Native history here goes back
several thousand years according to the archaeological
artifacts found in this area.
Today
there is an incredible five level
interpretive center constructed
inside a hill that offers
fascinating and informative
displays. The front of the
interpretive centre hides it's size
as it shows only as an entrance. The
fully displayed five levels inside
the hill lead to the top where the
buffalo jump cliffs are located.
Views above the cliffs are
outstanding. One can see west
towards the Rocky Mountains, east
towards the
prairies, south towards
gently rolling foothills and the
Oldman River. Once here you can see
why the
Blackfoot Natives and the
local wildlife congregated here.
This area looks and feels like a
natural point of gathering for all
life. The estimated 60 million
Buffalo that roamed the
great plains
are no longer here but the deer,
elk, antelope, and
birds of prey can
still be found here. It is well
worth the effort to hike higher up
to the top of the hill above the
cliffs and also take in the trails
located below the cliffs. The energy
here is strong. I mentioned this to
a very proud and knowledgeable Native
Blackfoot Indian that was working in
the area, he told me "It was his
ancestors I felt". I believe him
without a doubt. As you drive
towards the site you will see large
quartzite boulders that were left after the
melt of the glacial ice age. These
large rocks can be found sparsely
scattered all the way to the
Saskatchewan
border and are called
glacial erratics as
they do not belong here. They were
carried by glaciers several
100 km's
from the
Mount Edith
Cavell
area near Jasper. The same
Native
Blackfoot
Indian I mentioned above said
these rocks were used by his
ancestors for navigating on the
prairies. It
was humbling to stop and sit upon
one of these rocks. I'm sure
countless numbers of
Buffalo
used the rock I sat upon as a scratching post
and several
people over thousands of years had
travelled past it or sat on it like I
did. I'm also sure that their
previous lives were much more
interesting then mine. It made me
wish I could travel back in time to
witness the
Blackfoot
Indians majestic way of life.
Another note worth mentioning is the
lack of recognition the
1st Nations
Blackfoot
Indians received. I was
born and raised in
Calgary
Alberta
and was never taught the
Blackfoot's
way of life or their nearby history. I was stunned while viewing
this Interpretive centre. Years ago
the
1st Nations
culture was suppressed by the local
government and education systems in
an effort to change their way of
life. Wow, if
you're touring Alberta don't miss
this site and it's history of the
1st Nations
Blackfoot
Indians. Tipi camping is
also available here. The campground
Writing On
Stone Provincial Park is
another
1st Nations
historical spot that is located
138km
east.
