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Home , Blackfoot Crossing, Calgary Zoo, Fort Calgary, Glenbow Museum, Nose Hill Park

A Celebration of Culture and History A Guide to Indigenous Landmarks in & Southern

Image credit: Government of Canada

There are so many things you can enjoy in and around Calgary to learn about the rich culture of . This booklet is a guide to some of the landmarks and locations around Calgary and that celebrate local Indigenous culture and history. You are invited to get outside and explore these in person!

Have we missed something? What should we add? Contact us at [email protected]

Land Acknowledgement

In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, we honour and acknowledge Moh’kinsstis and the traditional Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the : Siksika, Kainai, Piikani as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3 within the historical Northwest Métis homeland. Finally, we acknowledge all Nations, indigenous and non, who live, work and play and help us steward this land, honour and celebrate this territory.

Mohkinsstsis / Wîchîspa / Guts’ists’I / Calgary

Calgary was not always “Calgary” of course. The settlement that would grow into a city began at the meeting of the Elbow and Bow Rivers. Well before that, it was called by other names by the who had lived in the area for thousands of years: Mohkinsstsis (Blackfoot), Wîchîspa (Nakoda) and Guts’ists’I (Tsuut’ina). In 1874, the North-West Mounted Police arrived to build a Fort in this spot, and the Blackfoot helped them in adapting to the new environment and harsh winter. https://www.fortcalgary.com/

Photo credit: Fort Calgary is located at the confluence (coming together) of River and the . The address is 750 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 5E1.

Below are photos from the plaques outside of Fort Calgary that highlight the site's Indigenous history.

Photo Credit: Fort Calgary

Photo Credit: Jane Morgan Photo Credit: Jane Morgan

These plaques are on the southwest side of the Fort Calgary building. The address is 750 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 5E1

Glenbow Museum

The ’s Niitsitapiisinni: Our Way of Life is an exhibit that celebrates and educates about the cultures and histories of the Blackfoot Confederacy-the Niitsitapi, (the original people), which include the Siksika, Kainai, Piikani. It is also one of the largest museums in .

Photo Credit: Glenbow Museum

You can check out this exhibit online here: https://www.glenbow.org/blackfoot/ Location: 130 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0P3

Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park

Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park offers interactive exhibits, guided indoor tours, educational programs, and a Tipi Village where an interpreter explains the local flora and fauna and demonstrates the craft and survival skills of Indigenous peoples.

Photo Credit: Travel Alberta

This is where Treaty 7 was signed, and "is a world renowned cultural, educational and entertainment Centre built for the promotion and preservation of the Peoples’, Language, Culture and Traditions"

More information about the museum can be found here: http://www.blackfootcrossing.ca/ Location: Alberta 1, P.O. Box 1639, Siksika, AB, T0J 3W0

Sôhkâtisiwin Mural

"This mural by Montreal artist Kevin Ledo is located on the outside of the City of Calgary City Centre Parkade. It’s entitled “Sôhkâtisiwin”, which is the word for strength and power. The woman in this mural is traditional fancy and hoop dancer Angela Gladue, who is from Alberta and lived in Calgary for many years. Ledo’s work often celebrates people and diversity and is sometimes inspired by photography. This mural was based on a photograph taken by a Calgary photographer. He uses graphic orbs and vector lines to depict wonderment, joy and contemplation. The artist suggests walking across the street to get the best photo." https://www.avenuecalgary.com/city-life/guide-to-calgary-bump-murals/

Photo by Lee Nordbye.

The address of this parkade is 340 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0A5. The exact location of the mural is at the intersection of 10 Avenue and 4th Street

Blackfoot Mural "This mural of a singing Blackfoot man located outside 17th Avenue Framing was the first BUMP mural created by an Indigenous artist. Calgary’s Kalum Teke Dan is best known for his portraiture that reflects his Southern Albertan heritage and the spirit of his people. The piece was created in collaboration with Colouring It Forward, a local organization that promotes healing and reconciliation through art." https://www.avenuecalgary.com/city-life/guide-to-calgary-bump-murals/

This mural is on a store called 17th Avenue Framing. It's on the west wall of the

Photo by Tracy Luc-German. building. The address is 1232 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2T 0B

Nose Hill Medicine Wheel

"In 2015, members of the Blood Tribe built a traditional medicine wheel as an offering site for visitors. The medicine wheel is constructed of rocks in the shape of the Siksikaitsitapi logo, a circle that represents the four tribes of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Siksika, Kainai, North and South Peigans. is an area of cultural and historical significance, with views of the valley people used to look out for game or other tribe members. The medicine wheel is located in the southeast corner of the park and is easily accessed from the 14th Street parking lot."

https://www.visitcalgary.com/things-to-do/stories-from-calgary/indigenous- experiences-in-and-around-calgary

Photo Credit: Visit Calgary

This medicine wheel is located at the southeast corner of Nose Hill Park. The address for the park is 5620 14 St NW, Calgary, AB T3K 2P6

Buffalo / Bison Statues There are a lot of buffaloes around the City of Calgary! You can find statues at the locations below and even see real live ones at the Calgary .

These creatures have been very important to the First Nations and Metis of the Plains, the flat grasslands that cover Alberta, and and parts of the United States. As the plaque at the Shaw Cable building says, "Bison are a symbol of abundance, a sign of promise and prosperity."

Locations, clockwise from the top: • The 210 St. George's Drive NE • Court Centre Park 7 Ave SW • 12 Mile Coulee, west side along bike path • Inglewood Park 1535 9 Ave SE • Shaw Cable 630 3 Ave SW

Photo Credit: Jane Morgan Photo Credit: Jane Morgan Photo Credit: Jane Morgan

Photo Credit: Everydaytourist.ca Photo Credit: Jane Morgan

Moonstone Creations

Moonstone Creations is a family-run store and gallery focusing on Indigenous arts and crafts. They also offer classes where you can learn traditional art forms, like: beadwork, ceremonial drums and moccasin making. http://www.moonstonecreation.ca/

Location: 1219 10 Ave SE 1219 10 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0W6

Photo Credit: Vanessa Nim

Photo Credit: yellowpages.ca

: Okotoks Erratic

This 16,500-ton quartzite boulder is the world's largest glacial erratic. Okotoks means "rocks" in the Blackfoot language. It has sacred meaning and is important to their creation story. https://www.okotoks.ca/discover-okotoks/ Location: AB-7, Foothills County, AB T0L 0H0

Photo Credit: albertashistoricplaces.com

Locations Outside Calgary

These locations are all a few hours’ drive from Calgary:

Saamis Teepee is a famous landmark for the City of Medicine Hat and the world’s tallest teepee! Inside the teepee, there are ten hand-painted storyboards which share local First Nations and Metis heritage. https://www.travelalberta.com/ca/listings/saamis-tepee-6166/ Location: 32 Eagle Birth Rd SW, Medicine Hat, AB T1B 4W1

Áísínai’pi / Writing on Stone is a beautiful park which features ancient rock paintings and carvings. https://www.albertaparks.ca/parks/south/writing-on-stone-pp/ Location: NW 36 TW1 range 13, Milk River T0K 1M0

Estipah-Skikikini-Kots / Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump is an important historic site where buffalo were stampeded over a cliff https://headsmashedin.ca/ Location: Secondary Highway #785,

Photo Credit: Janusz Sobolewski Photo Credit: Jan Mosimann Photo credit: Callum Snape

Photo Credit: Government of Canada