Every part of the hunt was calculated. Each person had a job. That wind that blew our jackets, hair and scent would be used by the hunters. The kill would be on a day it floated from the west. Draped in smelly buffalo skins, the “buffalo runners” would mask their scent, creep near the herd, inching them into V-shaped driving lanes closer to the cliff. The final drive would be purposely planned for dawn. A small, smoky fire would cause a little panic and just as the sun rose in the east, the buffalo runners would scare the herd towards the cliff. With the blinding sunlight, the buffalo had no idea what was beyond the next step.
“I like to call the buffalo a “four-legged Walmart,” says Quinton Crow Shoe, a spokesperson at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. Crow Shoe is a direct descendant of those people that followed the herds.
“Our ancestors used almost every part of the buffalo. Without the annual buffalo hunt, they would never have survived the winter on the prairie. It was a huge part of our culture and we are proud to tell the stories in many ways at the centre. The Pis'kun experience is very popular.”
Mondays and Fridays in July and August the three-hour immersive experience not only tells you about buffalo hunting, but you can immerse yourself in the experience. It begins with the traditional Blackfoot blessing with the burning of sweet grass, then learning to use an ancient spear thrower followed by tasting dried buffalo meat. You really get a sense of being there.
Then you participate in a mini buffalo jumping, re-enacting roles from buffalo runners to driving buffalo (people get to be buffalo, too) to spearing the animal. Not only is it educational, it’s a fun experience for all ages.
Other special events are held throughout the summer including hikes to the drive lanes where you can see the Rocky Mountains to the west and well, forever to the east. Geocaching, drumming and dancing events, and harvest celebrations are also held. Check the full line of events on the official site here.
Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo Jump is open year-round. Here’s a hint – the quiet winter is the perfect time to slow down and absorb the wonderful displays. Interpreters from the Blackfoot Nation are on hand and have wonderful stories to tell that have been passed on through generations.
Planning your trip
Dare to Explore: Click here for more information to plan a trip to Head-Smashed-In.
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More information
When you visit Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo Jump, be sure to check out a few other historic sites in the region. Check the Alberta History website to learn about Leitch Collieries, the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre and the Remington Carriage Museum. The Fort Museum in Fort McLeod is also a wonderful learning centre, only 22 km from the Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo Jump.
Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site is 160 km south of Calgary on Highway 2. Watch for the giant metal buffalo sign at Highway 785. Turn west and at 16 km you will still be looking for the building, but it’s there hidden in the cliffs.
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is just one of a series of attractions across Alberta showcasing its heritage and history. Others include Frank’s Slide Interpretive Centre and the Remington Carriage Museum. Learn more here.
