Located in the Blackfoot Territory of the Siksika Nation, Blackfoot Crossing attracts many tourists who are wanting to dive into the past and learn about the history of the First Peoples of the Americas.
Many nations have travelled the lands of Blackfoot Crossing and left many clues of how they lived. Here you can find ancient earthlodge village that has been believed to be built by people of the Upper Mississippi valley in what is now United States.
The beautiful area is also resting spots of influential Chiefs such as Chief Crowfoot and also Cree Chief, Chief Poundmaker. It is the area where Treaty 7 was signed between the nations of southern Alberta with the Canadian government.
Blackfoot Crossing is also the place where peace finally was achieved between the Cree and the Blackfoot who have been enemy tribes for centuries.
Amazing Things to Do at Blackfoot Crossing:
- Take a guided tour of the eco-friendly museum and discover artifacts that are a blast from the past
- Spend a night in a majestic buffalo hide tipi and experience how the Native Americans of the past lived during the nomadic periods
- Walk in the same footsteps that 10,000 Blackfoot Confederacy warriors did in the area where Treaty 7 was signed
- Experience rich and interactive exhibits that showcase the diverse culture, history, and incredible traditions of the Blackfoot Peoples and the Siksika Nation
- Watch live theatre performances and shows that not only entertain but educate the audience
- Specialized school tours that are catered to specific grade levels with Elders that tell the ancient stories
- Learn about botany, the plants of the valley, and the unique history of the Blackfoot Territory
- Get hands on experience by visiting the Crowfoot Tipi Village where one can take part in tanning hide, smoking hides, dances, and shelter building
- Explore the natural beauty of the surrounding area and hike the trails of the land to explore and learn about the area
- Explore ancient rock formations that make up ancient medicine wheels that the Native American people have used since time immemorial
- Learning simple Blackfoot language
The land at Blackfoot Crossing is pristine and full with history. Here are some of the features of the historic site:
- 2,000 acres of protected land
- Largest ecosystem of its kind
- what you see is what you would see 100s even 1000s of years ago
- A natural ridge used for crossing the river
- Route for migration, warfare, trade, ceremonial purposes and everyday life
- 1877 Treaty 7 Was Signed by Chief Crowfoot
- 1977 is the 100 year with Prince Charles in attendance
- Completed in 2007 – world class museum which represents traditional blackfoot culture
- Teach our kids, share with rest of the world, a place for Elders
Contents
Admission:
Groups of up to 24 people:
Adult: $15.00 + gst
Seniors (65 plus): $10.00 + gst
Groups 25 or more people:
Discount of 20% on total cost of admission
Caregivers for seniors and disabled : Free admission
Children 4 and under are free
Additional program and tours fees:
$10.00 per person – Signing of Treaty #7: Program – 1 hour
Life before and after the Treaty, a very interesting topic for these students, the big change from buffalo days to farming, and living in tipi’s to log cabins to houses.
Residential schools were formed by the government and parents had to follow orders sometimes being forced to allow their children to be placed in the boarding schools: this policy or law came from the federal
government to accommodate the Aboriginal and Inuit children.
Missionaries and other religious orders, mainly Catholic and Anglican, were placed to look after these children in the schools.
$10 per person – Chief Crowfoot Outdoor Hike- (starts May – September) – 30 minutes – 1-9 people –
Enjoy an outdoor guided tour in the vicinity of Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park outside area with our knowledgeable interpreters.
The tour begins with a 10 minute welcome introductory and presentation of our Coat of Arms, in our Vision Quest Theatre, Groups of 10 or more people 20% discount on total cost.
$10.00 per person – Guided tour with interpreter – 30 minutes
Enjoy an indoor guided tour of the Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park exhibit area with our knowledgeable interpreters. The tour begins with an introduction and presentation of our Coat of Arms in our Vision Quest Theatre.
The modern exhibition includes a combination of traditional storytelling, video productions, interactive displays and sound stations, scenic design elements, plants and animals native to the area.
Featuring four main tipi areas representing separate Blackfoot themes; Creation, Survival, Celebration and Storytelling.
Groups of 10 or more people 20% discount on total cost
You can also request for one of these resource:
$200.00 per resource Dancer – dressed in full regalia dancer(s)will perform for you, and will explain the type of dance.
You can join the dancer who will show you some dance steps. See how easy it is to learn and have fun.
Drummer – will share the significance to the drum and traditional songs. Guests will have the opportunity to handle and use the drum. (With drummer’s permission)
Elder – Share knowledge and information on sweetgrass, sage, and any other traditional items used, guests can participate in smudging with these traditional sources. Plus tobacco for Prayer & Guidance.
Story Teller – Legends of our ancestors: their stories are very interesting, the war stories they experienced with other tribes and this relates to how some of our people got their Indian names and stories of how young men become brave warriors. (1 hour)
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS: TOUR PACKAGES
How about having a guided Van tour with one of our knowledgeable interpreters for your group.
Choose one of these and book today for one of our scheduled tours
Start May 25 – September 30, 2020
Tourist Attraction Sites
Treaty 7 tour
The Blackfoot Crossing area was of particular significance to the Siksika (Blackfoot) First Nation as a traditional wintering ground and gathering place. It is also a significant location in Canadian history, this is the site where the signing of Treaty No.7 took place, with the Government and the tribes of the Blackfoot Confederacy.
(Scheduled Times & Dates to be determined)
Rate – $50.00/Single person
Rate – $75.00/2 people
Rate – $125.00/3-5 people
Rate – $175.00/6 -12 people
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Poundmaker/Treaty 7 Monument/Chief Crowfoot Tour
The site of Poundmaker’s grave marked with a stone circle and a small cairn. Treaty 7 monument tells of the agreement made between the five Blackfoot Confederacy Tribes, and Chief Crowfoot’s
Grave and last tipi site all located near Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park.
(Scheduled times & dates to be determined)
Rate – $25.00/Single person
Rate – $50.00/2 people
Rate – $75.00/3-5 people
Rate – $100.00/6-12 people
Available – $40.00/per person – Scheduled Walking tours with an interpreter
$15.00/per person – Self guided walking tour with paid admission fee
Majorville Medicine Wheel Tour
The medicine wheel is identified by a cairn of rocks with spokes radiating outward in all directions resembling a wagon wheel. Many have been destroyed or altered, but most that remain are located in traditional Blackfoot Territory
(Scheduled time and dates to be determined)
Rate – $100/Single person
Rate – $150.00/2 people
Rate – $200.00/3-5 people
Rate – $250.00/6-12 people
$10 per person – Guided Indoor tour with interpreter – 30 minutes – 1-9 people
Enjoy an indoor guided tour of the Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park exhibit area with our knowledgeable interpreters. The tour begins with a 10 – minute welcome introductory and presentation of our Coat of Arms, in our Vision Quest Theatre, featuring four main tipi areas representing separate Blackfoot themes; Creation, Survival, Celebration and Storytelling.
The modern exhibition includes a combination of traditional storytelling, video productions, interactive displays and sound stations, scenic design elements, plants and animals native to the area.
Groups of 10 or more people 20% discount on total cost
$10 per person – Chief Crowfoot Outdoor Hike- (starts May – September) – 30 minutes – 1-9 people – Enjoy an outdoor guided tour in the vicinity of Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park outside area with our knowledgeable interpreters. The tour begins with a 10 minute welcome introductory and presentation of our Coat of Arms, in our Vision Quest Theatre,
Groups of 10 or more people 20% discount on total cost
Specialized Education Program Request
If you are planning to visit Blackfoot Crossing with a classroom or a group for educational purposes, you can request a special trip with the form below.
This is a great opportunity with Indigenous Education becoming a very important topic in educational organizations today.
Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park is pleased to announce the release of our second book, Stories of the Siksika, which is centered around not only Blackfoot culture but also the history of the Siksika First Nation itself from time immemorial to present day. Like the architecture ebook, this book is also non-profit. Currently, it is only available as a physical print, but we will be looking into a possible ebook version, as well.
Blackfoot Crossing would like to thank:
– Our Siksika Elders for their vision and leadership, as well as the Siksika First Nation.
– Our hardworking tech team at Blackfoot Crossing for their time and effort: Shannon Bear Chief, Nicole Munro, Grant Many Heads, Janis Many Heads, and Sasheen Wright.
– SAW Strategic Design Studio for their dedication and patience in making this publication a reality.
– Canadian Heritage (Indigenous Languages Component — Indigenous Languages and Cultures Program) and the Government of Canada for providing the opportunity to publish our books.
– The following people, museums, entities, and businesses for additional photos in this book: Todd Munro and the Munro Family, Trevor Smith, Louise Doore, Robert Crow Chief, Blackfoot Confederacy (Kainai, Piikani, and Amskapi-Piikani), Glenbow Archives, University of Calgary Archives, Canadian Museum of History, Mike Copeman Photography, and Reg Faulkner Fine Art Photography. We apologize for anyone we may have missed.
Understandably, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our original book release schedule significantly, so we ask for your patience as we work to make this publication more widely available. We are preparing safe methods of distribution to our Siksika Elders as well as Siksika teachers and education programmers, and eventually to other Blackfoot elders and teachers. From there on, we plan to distribute to local schools, libraries, and museums.
The past year has seen many changes, including new management, so we are excited to have completed our project on schedule!
What Are Some Other Great Destinations That You Know of For Indigenous Tourism – Let Us Know in The Comments?
