Archaeological Site Unveils Blackfoot Heritage in Buffalo Jump, Alberta

Nestled on the traditional Blackfoot territory, 18km northwest of Fort Macleod and two hours south of Calgary, lies the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Center. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a unique opportunity to delve into the rich cultural, spiritual, and practical relationship between the Blackfoot people and the buffalo, a relationship that spans over 5,500 years.

The Interpretive Center, built into the edge of a cliff that was once used as a Buffalo Jump, invites visitors to embark on a self-guided tour that covers all aspects of this ancient hunting ground. The tour begins with a stunning view of the plains from the Cliff Top Trail, followed by a meander around the grasslands on the Lower Trail, providing a closer view of the kill sites and other archaeological finds.

For the Blackfoot, the buffalo was more than just a resource; it was a sacred relative, symbolizing a bond akin to being “brothers and sisters.” The buffalo hunt was intrinsically linked to their way of life, providing food, materials, and spiritual sustenance that allowed the Blackfoot people to engage in leisure, artistic, and spiritual pursuits. The site’s name, Head Smashed In, comes from a traditional story about a young Blackfoot who was tragically crushed by falling buffalo, underscoring the deep narrative and spiritual connection to the land and the buffalo.

The Interpretive Center not only educates visitors about the traditional hunting methods but also highlights the spiritual significance of the buffalo hunt, which was essential to the Blackfoot’s survival until the near extinction of the buffalo in the late 19th century. The arrival of Europeans ended the days of traditional buffalo hunting and almost brought the species to extinction.

The Center, with exhibits developed under the guidance of Piikani Elders and Knowledge Keepers, serves as a living repository of Blackfoot traditions, knowledge, and identity, contributing to cultural revitalization and reconciliation efforts. In the Center's cafeteria, you'll find a menu inspired by Blackfoot recipes, including several buffalo dishes, further immersing visitors in the Blackfoot culture.

The Interpretive Center also employs Blackfoot guides, providing opportunities to speak to them about their traditions and customs. Conrad Little Leaf, a guide at the Center, led a prayer in both Blackfoot language and English, emphasizing the deep respect and connection the Blackfoot people have for the land, the buffalo, and all living beings.

Visitors can also learn about the Blackfoot belief that the creator made the grass, made the buffalo to eat the grass, and made humans to eat the buffalo, creating a circle of life. Nothing was wasted after a Buffalo Jump; leftovers were left behind to feed other animals and insects, and to nourish the land. The Blackfoot people would harvest every part of the buffalo, including pelts, meat, bones, bone marrow, and all the guts.

The Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump Interpretive Center is a vital cultural landmark for the Blackfoot people, symbolizing their enduring connection to the buffalo and the natural environment, preserving ancestral knowledge, and fostering a greater understanding of Indigenous heritage worldwide. The true Peigan name for the area is Piskát, which translates to "all the good that's inside."

[1] "Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site," UNESCO, [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/354](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/354) [2] "Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump," Parks Canada, [https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/ab/headsmashedin](https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/ab/headsmashedin) [3] "Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump," Canadian Encyclopedia, [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/head-smashed-in-buffalo-jump](https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/head-smashed-in-buffalo-jump) [4] "Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump," Travel Alberta, [https://www.travelalberta.com/places-to-go/head-smashed-in-buffalo-jump](https://www.travelalberta.com/places-to-go/head-smashed-in-buffalo-jump) [5] "Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump," Blackfoot Confederacy, [https://blackfootconfederacy.com/head-smashed-in-buffalo-jump/](https://blackfootconfederacy.com/head-smashed-in-buffalo-jump/)

At the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Center, visitors can delve into the Blackfoot culture, learning about their spiritual connection with the buffalo and their way of life that revolved around this animal.
The Interpretive Center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers guilt-led tours that highlight the significance of the buffalo hunt in providing food, materials, and spiritual sustenance for the Blackfoot people.
The Center also showcases the Blackfoot lifestyle by offering authentic buffalo dishes in its cafeteria and employing Blackfoot guides to speak about their traditions and customs, providing an immersive travel experience.