Aboriginal Culture and History in Calgary Parks
Experience the peaceful
and healing energy within
the spirit of the land.
calgary.ca/arts/aboriginal/bisonspiritland
Titian Ramsay Peale, “Bison Herd with Pike’s Peak in Background”, ca. 1854, oil on canvas,
Collection of Glenbow Museum, Calgary, Canada, 61.46.29
Secret to many Calgarians, the significance of the bison/
buffalo is core to artwork, dances and spiritual ceremonies.
Hundreds of years ago, Aboriginal people followed and
hunted the bison for their survival. The bison provided food
and clothing for the people. All parts of the animal were used.
Rope was made from the sinew, tools were made from the
bones, and water containers were made from the intestines.
The spirit of the buffalo continues to be honoured
for its strength and wisdom. Many dances simulate the
movement of the buffalo, honouring its spirit.
Aboriginal cultures are based in the oral tradition. Stories
and legends are used to transfer knowledge about the creation
of the world to humans. Stories teach us about our responsibilities to maintain a respectful balance with
the natural world. There is an understanding that all life forms were imbued with the same sacred energy
when the Creator Spirit created the universe. Everything is interconnected in a complex relationship between the sky, land, water, and air. Ancestral knowledge is transferred through stories, dreams, and spiritual
communication with non-human creatures such as the winged-ones, the four-legged, and water beings.
In order to understand Aboriginal spirituality one must find a quiet place in nature and feel the
power that resides within the tree people, the grandfather rocks, the female energy of water and the
language of the animals.
Calgary’s parks provide this re-energizing power. In them, a recipient can learn the lessons of
wisdom that are etched in the land. The spirit of the bison and the voices of our native ancestors carry
a strong message of healing, peace and care for ourselves and for our Mother Earth.
Note: The term Aboriginal is currently recognized under the Canadian Constitution
Act of 1982, which refers collectively to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.
The terms Aboriginal, First Nations, and Native are used interchangeably with
reference to the original peoples of the land in this brochure.
Washita Point (Plains Side Notched)
Dated 500–300 years before present
Archaeology Department,
University of Calgary
EE
K
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R
HARVEST
HILLS
DE
ER
F
LAKE
L
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HARVEST
HILLS
Nose Creek Parks & Valley
V
Native tribes camped along Nose Creek and the Bow and Elbow Rivers. With a bit
of imagination, a person can visualize the bison roaming higher land and descending
toward the rivers for water. Native groups lived according to the laws of nature and
used the geography and topography of the land to hunt bison. Projectile points (arrowheads) were created from stone of local and distant sources, while the lay of the land
allowed for natural buffalo jumps. During the glacial ice movement 15,000 years ago,
Calgary was covered with water which would later become known as Glacial Lake
Calgary. Nose Creek Valley became the spillway for the runoff of the Cordilleran and
Laurentide glaciers. Over time, the movement of the glacier carved terraces and valleys
into the landscape, luring bison and travellers to this area.
The Foothills Erratic Train deposited many large boulders (erratics) from Jasper
to Montana. Buffalo rubbed up against these erratics which have become known
as “buffalo rubbing stones.” You can see such an erratic (now known as “Split Rock”)
in Nose Creek Park where it was deposited thousands of years ago.
Y
D
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WEST NOSE CREEK PARK
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BEDDINGTON
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B E D D IN G T O N
BLV D
McCALL WY
HUNTINGTON HILLS
SADD
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Many archaeological studies reveal the past occupancy of native
groups, their practices and the strong connection they had to the
bison in their daily lives. The people were hunters who depended
64 AVE N
mostly on the bison for their survival. To this day, the Blackfoot,
Tsuu Tina and Stoney people honour the spirit of the bison through
ceremonies, legends, dances and songs.
A
SKYLINE
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WESTWINDS
L E R ID G
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PARK
THORNCLIFFE
S
LAYCOCK
11 ST E
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B E R K
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COUNTRY
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STONEY 2
INDUSTRIAL
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BARLOW TR
COUNTRY HILLS BLVD
INDUSTRIAL
Photograph of Nose Creek,
Airdrie by Line Laplante (2000)
PRAIRIE WINDS
E
PARK
BL
VD
ROYAL OAK
C OUN T
R Y
HAMPTONS
CITADEL
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COUNTRY
B LV D
HILLS
SANDSTONE VALLEY
H I
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B L V D
MACEWAN
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ARBOUR LAKE
DR
LAKE
CROWFOOT
HAWKWOOD
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SE
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ILL
CROWFOOT
B
Nose Hill Park
ARBOUR
S
B E R K
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L
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BEDDINGTON
HEIGHTS
EDGEMONT
Nose Hill is particularly remarkable for its
view of the foothills, mountains and plains.
It is the largest park in Calgary to be left in
its natural prairie grassland state.
Nose Hill was created as the Cordilleran
RANCHLANDS
SCENIC ACRES
Glacier pushed its way from the west and
walled-up against the Laurentide Glacier
coming from the northeast, mixing the earth
with quartzite rock leftDALHOUSIE
behind. As the glaciers
receded, several erratics were deposited in the Calgary corridor, including one on Nose
Hill. Many Napi legends and stories about the glacial erratics are significant to the
Blackfoot Peoples.
Many sites throughout the Calgary area reveal artifacts containing projectiles used
SILVER SPRINGS
for hunting bison and other animals. In honour of Aboriginal ancestors, preservation of
these artifacts means leaving them untouched so thatVARSITY
they can remain with the spirit of
ESTATES
BOWMONT
the land and can
serve
as
an
offering
to
the
Creator.
Land
of higher ground is said to
PARK
allow for closer contact with the spiritual realm since spirits travel faster in high, windy
places. Numerous tipi rings and rock cairns which mark the location of vision quests
BOWNESS PARK
and campsites have been identified on Nose Hill. As a site of present and past
ceremonies, the park continues to be a sacred place.
GREENWOOD
According to The Calgary Herald, March 13, 1897, a Blackfoot man named
VARSITY
BOWMONT
BOWNESSto be buried at the foot of Nose Hill so that he could
Running Weasel requested
ACRES
PARK
“watch Calgary grow beneath his feet.”
GREENBRIAR
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ST
ON
EY
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TR
NOSE HILL PARK
S P R IN G S
H
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T R
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56 AVE N
LA
UR
IE
BRENTWOOD
BL
VD
NORTH
CHARLESWOOD
HAVEN
HEIGHTS
HIGHWOOD
N
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WN
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HN
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RESEARCH
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O U S IE
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NORTHLAND DR
BAKER PARK
A
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LV D
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B
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FOOTHILLS
ESTATES
CAMBRIAN
HEIGHTS
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HEIGHTS
R
A
RD
RESEARCH
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S
H
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McCALL
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WN
W
BO
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PARK
CHARLESWOOD
32 AVE N
DR
AN
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BR
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CA
COLLINGWOOD
CONFEDERATION
PARK
NORTH
WINSTON
24
N
MONTGOMERY
BANFF TRAIL
FOOTHILLS
Edworthy Park
MOUNT
PARK
PLEASANT
RSIT
IVE
UNIVERSITY
HEIGHTS
TUXEDO
PARK
PARK
UN
PARK
PLEASANT
CONFEDERATION
ATHLETIC
SHOULDICE
CENTRE ST
A V E
EDMONT
ON TR
MOUNT
ROSEMONT
Y
CAPITOL HILL
HEIGHTS
BALMORAL
PLEASANT
MOUNTVIEW
HEIGHTS
Prior to the ownership of the Calgary Pressed Brick and Sandstone Company, the area today known as Edworthy Park was Thomas
REGAL
PROMINENCE
ROSEDALE
Edworthy’s homestead.
The original
were the
TERRACEof this land RENFREW
CRESCENTinhabitants
POINT
ST. ANDREWS
HEIGHTS
HEIGHTS
bison
who
were
later
followed
by
the
Plains
Indians.
EDWORTHY
BRIAR
HILL
PARKDALE
PARK
PATTERSON
The terraced landscape of Edworthy Park was commonly used
HOUNSFIELD
POINT
HEIGHTS
HEIGHTS
McKAY
as a native campsite and
buffalo hunting grounds. Topographical landSUNNYSIDE
ST. GEORGE'S
forms
such
as
natural
plateaus,
coulees and steep cliffs left behind by
UPPER
HEIGHTS
BRIDGELAND
WEST
HILLHURST
the
wonders
of
the
glacial
ice
age
would
serve
the
bison
hunters
well,
HILLHURST
HILLHURST
providing natural shelter, buffalo jumps and corrals. Edworthy Park
LAWREY
WILDWOOD
is one of many areas
throughout the Calgary valley where evidence
EAU CLAIRE
WESTMOUNT
RIVERSIDE
CHINATOWN
GARDENS
STRATHCONA
has
been
found
of
bison
processing areas where they
PARK
SPRUCE
were corralled and processed for their meat, fur,
CLIFF
EAST
and bone tools.
ZOO
FORT
STRATHCONA
VILLAGE
CALGARY
SUNALTA
HEIGHTS
Stone
circles
or
tipi
rings
further
add
to
WESTGATE
ROSSCARROCK
the evidence of native encampment,
SCARBORO
although most of these are
SHAGANAPPI
MILLS ESTATES
difficult to identify and locate. The rings were formed from the rocks that were used to hold downCONNAUGHT
the sides of the tipi. VICTORIA
PARK
Terraced settings such as those in Edworthy Park were ideal for setting up campsites since the treed northerly sides
RAMSAY
CLIFF
LOWER
of the valleys provided natural protection against the cold winter winds.
BUNGALOW
BANKVIEW
MOUNT ROYAL
GLENDALE
Warm Pacific winds known
as Chinook winds travel over the KNOB
mountains
and make Calgary the perfect place
ERLTON
MEADOWS
HILL
to winter. The bison and natives knew theKILLARNEY
warming effect
of
Chinook
winds
and
chose to winter here. Winter was MISSION
GRANDVIEW
GLENGARRY
a time for the men to hunt buffalo and the women to sew new tipisRICHMOND
and clothing and prepare pemmican (pulverized
MOUNT ROYAL
SIGNAL
dried buffalo meat and crushed dried berries mixed with hot fat) for the upcoming
year.
SOUTH
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COACH
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PRINCE'S
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ISLAND PARK
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K'S
ISLA
ND
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T R
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GE
OR
GE
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AND 'S
1 ST E
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BOW TR
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MACLEOD TR
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D R
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H C
O N
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S A R C E E
S
11 ST E
PARK
26
AVE S
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ND
MO
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AVE
S
ROXBORO
CALGARY
RIDEAU
14 ST W
GLENBROOK
O W C H IL D
TR
RIDGE
GLENCOE
PARK
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CO N N
EC
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RT
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ATHLETIC
5 ST
OPTIMIST
W
15 ST E
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37 ST W
R
PARK
PAT
RIC
9 AVE S
T
CHRISTIE
ST.
4 ST W
STR
5 AVE S
6 AVE S
BOW RIVER
ST
69 ST W
10 ST
EM
EK
RE
C
SE
NO
M
OR
26 AVE S
TY
CAPITOL HILL
16
MOUNTVIEW
HEIGHTS
N
E
A V
BALMORAL
PLEASANT
HEIGHTS
16 AVE N
DR
IA
HILL
PARKDALE
L
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W
HOUNSFIELD
R
HEIGHTS
McKAY
RILEY PARK
WEST
HILLHURST
LAWREY
GARDENS
OD
INDUSTRIAL
CROSSROADS
10 ST
R
RENFREW
HEIGHTS
BRIAR
POINT
TERRACE
CRESCENT
ST. ANDREWS
HEIGHTS
O
EK
RE
EM
FRANKLIN
C
SE
Fort Calgary
ST. GEORGE'S
INDUSTRIAL
HEIGHTS
BRIDGELAND
PRINCE'S
HILLHURST
HILLHURST
MERIDIAN
SUNNYSIDE
UPPER
ISLAND PARK
MAYLAND HEIGHTS
The North-West Mounted
EAU CLAIRE Police built
RIVERSIDE
ALBERT PARK
CHINATOWN
Fort Calgary in 1875 at the confluence of the
SPRUCE
Bow and Elbow Rivers. One reason for the
CLIFF
CENTURY
EAST
construction of the Fort was to deter illegal
PARK
ZOO
FORT
VILLAGE
CALGARY
trade of alcohol and furs with the Americans.
SUNALTA
The other reason was to establish a point of
PEARCE
RADISSON HEIGHTS
ESTATE
SCARBORO contact between the three major native tribes
SHAGANAPPI
of the Blackfoot, Sarcee (Tsuu T’ina) and
MILLS ESTATES
VICTORIA
CONNAUGHT
PARK
Stoney peoples for the purpose of signing treaties. Government
Indian agents, Métis
RAMSAY
CLIFFthe lives
interpreters and the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway
forever changed
LOWER
BUNGALOW
BANKVIEW
MOUNT ROYAL
of the native tribes who followed
the
buffalo.
KNOB
SOUT
HILLbetween the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (formerly ERLTON
A positive relationship
INGLEWOOD
GRANDVIEW
KILLARNEY
North-WestGLENGARRY
Mounted Police) and the First Nations people has been cultivatedMISSION
over time.
RICHMOND
However, the Department of Indian Affairs strippedMOUNT
away
native traditions and cultural practices and replaced these with restrictions, imprisonment and imROYAL
SOUTH
positions of European laws. Several photographs
of the Blackfoot, Sarcee andROXBORO
Stoney people at Fort Calgary reveal obvious differences between two distinct
WEST DOV
CALGARY
RIDEAU
cultures.
PARK
Prior to European settlement, natives hunted bison and GLENCOE
lived a traditional way of life here. When Europeans settled in, the bison disappeared, treaties were
BURNSLAND
signed, reservations were created and boarding schools served to assimilate native
peoples into
a “civilized” society. With no bison left to hunt and
PARKHILL
RUTLAND
DOVER
ELBOW PARK
repeated
epidemics of smallpox, measles, whooping cough and other foreign diseases, the survival of the native population was clearly threatened. Culture
PARK
GLEN
CFB
CURRIE
was severelyCFBimpeded
and
traditional
native
ways
were
virtually
crushed.
Native
populations
were
forced
to
rely
on
the
white
man
for
beef
and
clothing.
CALGARY
Today, the sins of ourCURRIE
forefathers are being recognized and the scales areELBOYA
returning to a semblance of balance. Celebrations of the bison spirit among
BONNYBROOK
native peoples continues toMQ'Shave a powerful impact on strengthening and honouring native
INDUSTRIAL
HIGHFIELD
MANCHESTERcultures.
ALYTH
WESTMOUNT
28
4 AVE S
5 AVE S
ST
6 AVE S
ST.
PAT
RIC
K'S
ISLA
ND
9 AVE S
ST.
11 AVE S
9A
VE
11 ST E
4 ST W
RT
MO
DA
26 A V
E
CO N N
EC
T
UT
H
26
AVE S
OR
26 AVE S
RD
OWS
5 ST
37 ST W
ALE
W
15 ST E
S
19
8 ST W
9 ST W
1 ST E
12 AVE S
BOW TR
MACLEOD TR
ARROCK
GE
OR
GE
ISL
AND 'S
ST
BOW RIVER
INGLEWOOD
WILDLANDS
INGLEWOOD
BIRD
BA
R LO
14 ST W
S
D
RIVER
R D SO
N
OW
LB
ER
RI V
HIGHFIELD
CONNECTOR
42 AVE S
STANLEY
W
PARK
Y
BRITANNIA
INDUSTRIAL
VALLEYFIELD
D
A R
LINCOLN
PARK
ALTADORE
SANDY
PARK
BEACH
GLENMORE
G
T
FOOT TR
R I C
H
LEOD
TR
INDUSTRIAL
STANLEY
R D
MAC
A
IC
H
PARK
R
DR
ON
HM
RIC
AVE
C R O W C H IL D
33
W
TR
TR
SANCTUARY
E
M
NO
REGAL
ROSEDALE
John Hammond, “View Near Calgary”, 1894, oil on canvas, Collection of Glenbow Museum, Calgary, Canada, 987.97.1
14 S T
BAYVIEW
CARBURN
PARK
HAYSBORO
BARLOW T
SOUTH
GLENMORE
PARK
18 ST E
S
RIVERBEND
ACADIA
OAKRIDGE
PALLISER
SOUTHLAND DR
DR
Fish Creek Provincial Park
W PA R K
W IL L O
MAPLE
WILLOW PARK
RIDGE
BO
N
DOUGLAS
AV
E N T U R
E
GLEN
ACADIA DR
D R
DR
CEDARBRAE
24 ST W
SOUTHWOOD
BRAESIDE
Following the retreat of the glaciers, animals such as the mammoth, bison,
camel, elk and horse began to walk the valley of Calgary. Archaeological findings
reveal a long trail of animal bones that date back to 8,500 – 11,000 years ago.
The volcanic eruption of Mount Mazama in Oregon 6,850 years ago spewed Mazama
Ash as far north as Calgary leaving
a distinctive 10 centimetre, white
layer as a key identifier
in the soil profiles.
ELBOW
ANDERSON RD
ACE
BONAVISTA
BO
TR
MACLEOD
COVE
E
K
R
LAKE
BONAVENTURE
FISH CREEK
PROVINCIAL
PARK
C A N Y O N
BONAVENTURE
M E
A D
O W S
QUEENSLAND
DOWNS
W
B O
H
C R E
LAKE
LK
IS
F
ESTATES
T
FRASER
FISH CREEK
PROVINCIAL
PARK
DR
FISH CREEK
PROVINCIAL PARK
Hundreds of years ago, native
people camouflaged themselves
in wolf hides, quietly crept up
on the bison, then attacked the huge animals
with spears made from their tips. As hunting techniques improved, natives funneled the bison
through v-shaped rock piles and chased them over a steep cliff called a buffalo jump. The natural coulees of the land now known as Fish Creek Provincial Park formed ideal corrals and pounds in which to trap
the bison. Hunters waited at the base of the jumps to finish the kill.
Great respect was given to the bison spirit both before and after a kill, honouring the sacredness of its body
that was offered by the Creator for the survival of the people. Special ceremonies always took place after a hunt
to give thanks to the animal spirits. Today, the bison continues to be honoured in ceremonial dances and songs.
EVERGREEN
ESTATES
DEER RIDGE
SHAWNEE SLOPES
PARKLAND
146 AVE S
DEER RUN
E
AV
E
MILLRIS
D
B LV
MILLRISE
SHAWNESSY
S
46
1
D
LV
KE B
McKENZIE
LA
MID
B LV
D
M I
K
D PAR
SHAWNESSY
LAKE
MIDNAPORE
LAKE
LAKE
MIDNAPORE
McKENZIE
D
B
F I SH
MOUNTAIN
C R E E K
L A
K
TW
S
14
AV
E S
6
BRIDLEWOOD
SOMERSET
ST
E
PARK
SUN VALLEY BLVD
16 2
B
D
LV
L
V
M c
K E
N Z
I E
130 AVE S
DOUGLASDALE
LAKE BONAVISTA
B O T T
O M
WOODLANDS
DIAMOND
BONAVISTA
DR
WOODPARK BLVD
DR
ER
RIV
WOODVIEW
LAKE
CANYON MEADOWS
W
DOWNS
WOODBINE
LAKE
SUNDANCE
SUNDANCE
W
LAKE
SIKOME
MARQUIS OF LORNE TR
L
P A R R A
C HA
CHAPARRAL
McKENZIE
N
W
PARK
Y
INDUSTRIAL
HIGHFIELD
MANCHESTER ALYTH
BRITANNIA
INDUSTRIAL
INDUSTRIAL
STANLEY
R D
PARK
ALTADORE
LINCOLN
SANDY
PARK
BEACH
GLENMORE
ATHLETIC
PARK
WINDSOR
Weaselhead Natural Area
GLENMORE
CFB
CALGARY
CFB HARVEY
ELBOW DR
NORTH
LINCOLN MQ'S
PARK
BURNS NORTH
INDUSTRIAL
T R
D
A R
BLACKFOOT TR
R I C
H
MAC
LEOD
TR
R
IC
H
GLAMORGAN
D E
E R
FO
O
CALGARY
T
58 AVE S
CFB
MANCHESTER SOUTH
BELAIRE
MEADOWas a result of a misunderstanding
INDUSTRIAL
The name Weaselhead
came about
on the part of an
LARK
Indian Agent (a government
official) who
MAYFAIR
PARK thought he was looking at a weasel’s head when he
LAKEVIEW
saw Chief Bull Head drinking from the Elbow River. Chief Bull Head lived on Weaselhead Flats
WEASELHEAD
FLATS
for approximately 50 years at the beginning of the twentieth century.
In the 1700s, a smallKELVIN
group of Sarcee people left the northern Beaver tribe of Peace River and
FAIRVIEW
travelled south to the traditional
Blackfoot prairie land of Calgary.
Many Sarcee people camped
GROVE
NORTH
along the Weaselhead area far to the south and east. Linguistically they are related to the Apaches
GLENMORE
PARK
KINGSLAND
and Navajos in the south-western United
States.
OriginallyEAGLE
the Sarcees were called the Tsuu T’ina people but again, a misinterpretation of
RIDGE
their name resulted
in theCHINOOK
altered name of Sarcee or Sarci. In 1987, the Sarcee name reverted back
PARK
to the original name of Tsuu
T’ina.
At the making of Treaty 7 in 1877, Chief Bull Head and his people were to relocate and
share reserve land with the Blood and Siksika tribes in southern Alberta. After a few years, the
Sarcee could no longer live with this arrangement. Chief Bull Head and his warriors rode to
BAYVIEWFort Calgary and demanded reserve land in their former setting. New reserve land was set aside
SOUTH
GLENMORE
CARBURN
for the Sarcee in 1833 on what is now the southwest side of Calgary’s city limits.
PARK
PARK
HAYSBORO
Looking towards the west is Moose Mountain, a sacred place where the Tsuu T’ina
people continue to hold ceremonies and vision quests and where many of their herbal medicines are picked. The TsuuACADIA
T’ina people are now
PALLISER
successfully raising and managingOAKRIDGE
a growing herd of 250+ bison on their
reserve.
HARVEY MQ'S
GL
EN
M
OR
E
T
R
HERITAGE
PARK
GLENMORE RESERVOIR
For your safety, reservoir closed
to all users November 1 to
April 30. Bylaw 9018 36/76
E
W
V
S
14 S T
A
SOUTHLAND DR
Washita Point (Plains Side Notched)
Dated 500–300 years before present
Archaeology Department, University of Calgary
SOUTHWOOD
W PA R K
W IL L O
DR
WILLOW PARK
BRAESIDE
BO
W
90
HERITAGE DR
MAPLE
RIDGE
BEAVERDAM
FLATS
Blackfoot Confederacy
and the Making of Treaty 7
The Blackfoot Confederacy comprises of the Kainaiwa (Blood), Piikáni (Peigan), Siksika (Blackfoot) and
their allies the Tsuu T’ina (Sarcee). The making of Treaty 7 took place at Blackfoot Crossing near Cluny, Alberta
in September 1877 between the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Stoney (Nakoda) and Her majesty the Queen. Reserve
land was set aside for the five major groups in western and southern Alberta. Originally, the Bloods, Siksika and
Tsuu T’ina were to share a common reserve while the Stoney and Peigan received separate lands.
Over time, differences in language and cultural traditions prompted Chief Bull Head of the Tsuu T’ina to
demand separate reserve land in their original campgrounds. In 1883 a new treaty was signed for the Sarcee people
allocating reserve land between the Elbow River and Fish Creek. The land spans 18 miles east–west and 6 miles north–south.
The Stoney/Nakoda First Nations main administration office is located in Morley, Alberta. The Nation is composed of three bands: the Chiniki, Bearspaw,
and Wesley/Goodstoney. Morley is located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains where the reserve straddles the Bow River. Two satellite reserves are
located in Eden Valley (south of Morley) and Big Horn (to the north) where the Bighorn River and the North Saskatchewan River meet. All three bands are
under one administration as one tribe.
Blackfoot reserves are the Northern Peigan in Brocket, Bloods in Standoff, and Siksika in Gleichen. The Blackfoot territory stretches over a large area
of land between southern Alberta and the United States. The American branch of the Confederacy is located in Montana. It was originally called the South
Peigan tribe but is now simply known as the Blackfeet Indians.
The word Ni-tsi-ta-pi means “real people” in the Blackfoot language. As with all Aboriginal languages: words, phrases, and concepts must be learned
in their proper cultural contexts. It is as though Aboriginal languages contain a physical and spiritual (or shadow) topography, where the two realms exist
as a seamless landscape. Ni-tsi-ta-pi describes a connection between the inner, spiritual aspect of a person to the outer, tangible world of Mother Earth.
It is believed that a quiet, yet powerful energy can be felt from the “real people,” for they are one with the earth and the natural world.
A composite of a visible and shadow side
A connection to Mother Earth,
Return to the peace of the land, the wisdom that lies in the heartbeat of the sounds
of nature, and imagine looking through the eyes of a buffalo.
See the land, wander through the valleys and coulees
Drink from the Bow and Elbow Rivers
Feel the warm Chinook breeze of a winter day
Run with your herd
Hear the call of the Creator asking you to give up your body for a ceremonial purpose
of feeding the Native people, your kin, your brother, your sister.
Hear the prayers of thanks for your life-giving offering
Know that your spirit is honoured and remembers through time.
The cycle continues as you walk in the grasslands, the prairies, the foothills
Free as the wind that carries your breath
For you are part of the Bison Spirit Land.
Written by Line Laplante
Crafts made by students at the Plains Indian Cultural
Survival School (PICSS) (2000) – Aboriginal Cultural
Instructor: Alvine Eagle Speaker (née Wolfleg)
Note: The school was closed in 2002 to make way for the West LRT system.
Community Linkage
Aboriginal Tourism
Glenbow Museum
130 – 9 Ave. S.E.
Calgary, Alberta T2G 0P3
Phone: (403) 268-4100
Fax: (403) 262-4045
glenbow.org
Eaglestar Tours
Tours of Tsuu T’ina Nation
For Reservations call:
Hal Eagletail
Phone: (403) 281-5769
Cell: (403) 988-7197
Email:
hal.eagletail@gmail.com
Nose Creek Valley Museum
1701 Main Street SW
Airdrie, Alberta T4B 1C5
Phone/Fax: (403) 948-6685
Email: ncvm@telus.net
nosecreekvalleymuseum.com
Tsuu T’ina Museum
Box 135
3700 Anderson Rd. S.W.
Calgary, Alberta T2W 3C4
Contact: Jeannette Starlight
Phone: (403) 238-2677
Email: cultural@tsuutina.com
Printed in 2000.
Reprinted 2003, 2005, 2013.
Treaty 7 Tourism
Suite 101, 12111 – 40 St. S.E.
Calgary, Alberta T2Z 4E6
Phone: (403) 281-9779
Fax: (403) 281-9783
Email: tourism@treaty7.com
treaty7tourism.org
Education
Nakoda Lodge
P.O. Box 149
Morley, Alberta T0L 1N0
Phone: (403) 881-3949
Fax: (403) 881-3901
Department of Archaeology
University of Calgary
2500 University Dr. N.W.
Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4
Main Office:
(403) 220-5227
Limited number of copies
can be obtained at:
Culture Division’s Secretary
The City of Calgary
Cliff Bungalow Arts Centre
Phone: (403) 476-4304
About
the writer,
Line Laplante,
M. A. – Métis
(French/Cree)
from the
Ottawa Valley.
“When I feel that I am
one with Mother Earth, it
inspires me to write from
the perspective of the land.”
Learning, working, and
participating in Aboriginal
projects, Line continues to
study the spirituality of the
natural world.
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Museums