There's a place in Southern Alberta known as "Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump". Despite my 15+ years as a citizen I've never visited before now. While Grandma worked, Grandpa decided to join us on our adventure. And we picked the perfect day for it.
(I tried to get one of the kids to kiss this buffalo...but no one would do it.)
As we pulled up to the entrance, we noticed a bunch of people seated on bleachers surrounding the courtyard. As soon as I heard the drums I knew what we had in store for us. Pow Wow! We got there as the last few dancers demonstrated tribal dances and costumes. It was fascinating enough to keep Curtis entertained (though it might have had something to do with the announcers talk of "warriors" and "weapons").
We then made our way along the pathway that leads to an overlook area near the cliffs. Here's a little historical information regarding the site:
For 5,000+ years, the buffalo jump was used by the indigenous people to kill buffalo. They would drive the buffalo from grazing areas towards the cliffs. Young men would dress up as coyotes and wolves to help stampede large herds toward the edge. As the buffalo reached the edge of the cliff, the weight of the herd behind them, running at full gallop, would force them over to their deaths.
At the bottom of the cliff, the buffalo would then be processed. Most of the animal would be used in some way to help the people survive the cold winter.
This particular site was in use at least 6,000 years ago and the bone deposits are 39 feet deep.
Did you wonder why it was called "Head-Smashed-In"? According to legend, a young Blackfoot wanted to watch the buffalo plunge off the cliff from below. He found a small crevasse at the base of the cliff and watched as the buffalo began to fall. As the bodies began to pile up, however, he was buried underneath the falling buffalo. He was later found dead under the pile of carcasses, where he had his head smashed in.
Ian tried to use this as a warning to the kids that they should always listen to their moms and dads. If you ask Curtis about it, he'll tell you that the kid got smashed because he didn't listen to his mom.
Here's Curtis not listening to his mom telling him to smile for the camera.
Our next stop was Fort Macleod. It was originally founded as a barracks for the North-West Mounted Police. Their goal: to stop the illicit trade of "firewater" among the Blackfoot tribes. And, as a bonus...it put a federal presence in an area that was being eyed by the United States. (Ha!)
While I was seriously disappointed that we didn't see any real-life Mounties, we had a good time running around the Fort.
Here's Curtis not listening to his mom tell him to stay off of the cannon.
(No one listens to me...)
The girls favorite part was the goats. They could have spent the entire day in the corner of the fort feeding these critters whatever they could get their hands on. (Ewww!)
Curtis' favorite part? The guns.
Here's Curtis asking, "If anyone wants a gun, please raise your hand!" (At which point he quickly raised his own hand.)
Oh, and he was a pretty big fan of running along the ramparts. But then...it was a lot of fun for all of us.
My favorite part? These two gentlemen. I hope I don't offend anyone, but I just couldn't help but laugh. Bachelor # 1: Bad Dried Meat. Bachelor # 2: Squat a Few.
(I know, right?)
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