Calgary offers numerous opportunities to explore its rich history and culture. Among these is the chance to immerse yourself in the culture of the First Nations, both within the city and in its surrounding areas. Here are some unique ways to learn about the traditions, art, and way of life of Indigenous peoples. More on icalgary.net.
Explore Traditional Hunting Grounds
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserves and shares the history of buffalo hunting. Through vast landscapes, engaging exhibits, and educational programs, visitors gain insight into the cultural significance of this ancient site.
Learn how the Blackfoot people drove large herds over an 11-meter cliff using techniques such as disguising themselves as coyotes and wolves. Discover how every part of the buffalo was used, from tools to clothing, and explore the ongoing archaeological work.
The interpretive centre is located 18 km northwest of Fort Macleod, about a 2-hour drive from Calgary.
Visit the Signing Site of Treaty 7
Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park is the historic site of the signing of Treaty 7, an agreement between the Canadian government and several Indigenous nations of Southern Alberta.
Signed on September 22, 1877, and reaffirmed on December 4, 1877, this treaty established land boundaries, hunting rights, and annual payments for the Blackfoot people. The site was traditionally used for buffalo hunting and gatherings by the Siksika Nation and their allies.
Visitors can stay overnight in a traditional tipi and learn skills such as meat drying and hide preparation. Blackfoot Crossing is located in Wheatland County, about 100 km east of Calgary.
Create Traditional Art
Calgary’s art galleries, such as Moonstone Creation, offer workshops in traditional crafts like beadwork, dreamcatcher making, and porcupine quill embroidery.
Founded by Yvonne Jobin, who grew up in High Prairie, Alberta, Moonstone Creation is a family-run business that showcases Indigenous art. Yvonne left a corporate finance career to focus on creating art and teaching others. Known for her unique beaded moccasins made from natural elk hide, she expanded into other traditional art forms while sharing stories about their cultural significance.
The gallery, established in 2009 in Inglewood, continues to thrive as a hub for Indigenous art despite challenges, including the unexpected passing of Yvonne’s daughter, Amy, in 2021.
Discover a Cultural Landmark in Nose Hill Park
In 2015, members of the Kainai Nation constructed a stone medicine wheel in the southeast corner of Nose Hill Park. Representing the four tribes of the Blackfoot Confederacy—Kainai, Siksika, Northern Piikani, and Southern Piikani—the wheel symbolizes spiritual and cultural concepts.
Medicine wheels are sacred to many Indigenous peoples in North America. Historically, they served as places of prayer and reflection, with spokes often aligning with celestial bodies or solstices.
The park offers stunning views of the surrounding valley, where Indigenous communities once hunted game.
Visit the Elbow River Camp
A staple of the Calgary Stampede since 1912, the Elbow River Camp celebrates the rich culture and traditions of five nations: Kainai, Piikani, Siksika, Tsuut’ina, and Nakoda. Visitors can explore 26 tipis and learn about each nation’s heritage.
Enjoy powwow performances showcasing traditional dances and take part in contests such as meat cutting and tipi building. Shop for authentic Indigenous jewelry and art at the arts and crafts market, and sample bannock at the Bannock Booth.
Attend a Treaty 7 Reenactment
Making Treaty 7, a Calgary-based arts organization, hosts an annual theatrical presentation that highlights the importance of Treaty 7 to the Blackfoot people and the peaceful settlement of Alberta. Open to audiences of all ages, this event combines entertainment with historical accuracy.
Created as part of Calgary’s successful bid for the title of Cultural Capital of Canada in 2012, the initiative continues to produce performances that celebrate Indigenous history and culture.
Participate in Calgary’s Aboriginal Awareness Week
Held during the last week of June, Aboriginal Awareness Week Calgary (AAWC) features family-friendly events aimed at fostering understanding of Indigenous traditions and culture. Activities range from reconciliation talks to showcasing local Indigenous artists. Attendees can also enjoy a powwow at the University of Calgary’s campfire site.
These week-long activities date back to the early 1990s and precede National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, celebrated during the summer solstice, a time of great significance to many Indigenous communities. In 2019, the event attracted approximately 10,000 visitors.
