Alberta’s Writing-on-stone Provincial Park/Aisanai’pi

The drive from Calgary seemed long, perhaps because of the relatively flat landscape. Like Drumheller, even one kilometer from the site, nothing could be seen. Then, rounding a corner, I pulled over to a canyon ablaze in countless rock formations—coulees and hoodoos. This was just a stone’s throw from Canada’s border with the U.S.

Alberta’s Head-smashed-in buffalo jump

I’d read about this UNESCO world heritage site and how the Blackfoot Nation hunters guided herds of bison over three kilometres to a sandstone cliff where the herd tumbled over, breaking their legs and making them easy prey. I imagined a towering cliff, but it was actually just a three hundred metre drop.  

First Nation Niche

Calgary’s Glenbow Museum had a section  on the Prairie First Nations and I wasn’t disappointed. In the centre of the exhibit, stood a full size tipi.