Suggested by a Prince, and 20 years in the making, the unique Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park is providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore First Nations culture in Alberta.
Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park is introducing First Nations history, spirituality and culture to visitors from around the globe. Unique for its scope and its vision, the Park is opening the door on the sacred and fascinating traditions of the Blackfoot people in a fascinating educational complex.
The Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park is located just 100 km (60 mi) east of Calgary, Alberta’s international gateway city to the Rockies.
What’s A Prince Got To Do With It?
When visiting Alberta in 1977, Prince Charles suggested that a cultural centre be developed on an important historic site. A traditional meeting place of the Blackfoot people for thousands of years, Blackfoot Crossing was also the site of the signing of the 1877 Treaty between the Blackfoot and the Canadian and British governments.
Prince Charles was quick to see the site’s potential during his visit to the area, but it took some time for the dream to become a reality. Three decades later, the Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park is now the largest First Nations owned and operated museum in the country, and the perfect destination for your Alberta vacation.
Blackfoot Culture in the Spotlight
The $25 million historical park is unique for many reasons, not the least of which is its scope, which stretches to 2,000 acres. The park has been developed to share Blackfoot traditions, history and culture, offering an intimate glimpse of the Blackfoot people that cannot be found anywhere else.
The heart of the historical park is its 62,000 square foot museum, which includes a $3 million exhibit on Blackfoot history and tradition. Pictures, artifacts and displays showcase thousands of years of Blackfoot culture.
Blackfoot Tourism Coordinator Jeanette Many Guns says the park promises an authentic experience for visitors. “Exhibits include the Treaty Days, pre contact and post contact and today’s society,” Jeanette says. “You’ll get to see a lot of historical and ancient artifacts you won’t get to see elsewhere, such as traditional weapons like clubs, which were basically leather wrapped around a stone and tied to a stick, and the bow and arrow, which was our main weapon. This is before guns were traded.”
Stay at Authentic Tipis
The Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park also offers on-site tipi camping, perfect for anyone who wants to add an exotic element to their Alberta vacation. Visitors can experience the culture first-hand as they stay overnight in a traditional aboriginal tipi on a location where First Nations people have lived for thousands of years.
The tipi village also includes a restaurant, where visitors have a chance to sample traditional Blackfoot foods like bannock (fried bread), berry soup and mint tea.
The historical park features a performance centre where visitors can view traditional and contemporary dances, presentations and more. The talents of many Aboriginal artisans from across Canada are on display in the on-site retail centre, where visitors can browse and purchase sculpture, art, jewelry, crafts and more as keepsakes from their vacation.
History Comes To Life
The site of the Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park has a sacred and significant history. It’s the burial site of one of the signers of the 1877 treaty, Chief Crowfoot. It also includes an ancient Mandan Earth Lodge, believed to have been built in the 1700s, which was the home of some of the area’s earliest residents.
“The area is very significant to all Blackfoot peoples,” Jeanette says. Not only does it overlook the flats of the treaty of 1877, but it is also close to Chief Crowfoot’s favorite camping site. “There are a lot of historical sites in this area, and it also overlooks the Bow River with a beautiful view.”
Situated on the largest riparian ecosystem left anywhere in the world, the Park offers eco-tours for those interested in learning more about the unique topography during their vacation.
Bridge the Past and Future
The Blackfoot confederacy consists of the Siksika, Peigan, Blood, Tsuu T’ina and Stoney peoples.
In addition to showcasing Alberta’s history, Blackfoot Crossing has also been developed to create a bridge between the province’s past and a future which will hopefully retain an understanding and celebration of the richness of the Blackfoot culture. “With the historical park, we also celebrate our existence today. The museum shares our story and our culture, and it brings a lot of pride to our people to see this building. It encourages them to continue to learn about their culture and the history of the Blackfoot people. It’s an exciting place, for the youth and the elders,” Jeanette says.
Explore Canada’s Badlands
From the historical park, it’s a quick drive to several other world-class Alberta attractions, including a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Royal Tyrrell Museum, where you can explore the fascinating history of the dinosaurs who roamed the earth millions of years ago.
A heli-tour of the breathtaking hoodoos in and around Drumheller is a popular vacation attraction. And the Dinosaur Provincial Park is another UNESCO World Heritage Site that shouldn’t be missed.
Resources
Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park
Dinosaur Provincial Park