Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is the oldest preserved buffalo jump site in North America. Continuing there since 1948, archeological research and excavations found multiple proofs that this site was used by Indigenous people starting from over 7000 years ago. The site was designed as National Historical Site in 1968, and was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1981. In May 1982 Provincial Government approved the constraction of the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre. It was designed by the architect Robert LeBlond, who received the Governor General’s Award for Architecture for this design later in 1990. The construction of the center was started in June 1985 and was completed in October 1986. Official opening ceremony was held in July 23, 1987. The building is perfectly integrated into the surrounding landscape. Inside, each of the seven terraces presents multiple artifacts and includes exhibitions that are telling the stories about this land and about everyday life, hunting strategy and surviving skills of Indigenous people before and after Europeans arrival. Outside, short upper and lower trails allow to overview the cliffs where the buffalo's deadly leaps took place and the area where hunters butchered their prey. The legend about young boy, whose head was smashed under the cliff by falling buffalo, may come to life in your imagination. And if you'll watch the short, but the very informative, 15-minute film "Pis'kun - The Buffalo Hunt" in the Interpretive Center's movie theater, the whole story of the early days of buffalo hunting will forever become an unforgettable part of your visit.
Yuliya Babych
00
The only downside of this place is the parking situation. You can drop off people at the top of the loop, but parking is downhill. Unfortunately, they lost funding precovid, which allowed them to have a shuttle back in the day, but that is gone now. So keep that in mind when you are going. First Nations get in free which was wonderful. Kids under 4 are free, adults are $15 each, and they offer family passes. The set up is meant to be top to bottom. So to begin you take one elevator to 4th floor, down a hallway and then a second upto the 6th floor. From there, you walk out the doors and along the paved path to the lookout area. They have telescopes to survey the land and see some of the areas where the Buffalo jump would've taken place which was cool. They had some gardens which housed a variety of natural grasses and plants from wild juniper and sage. While at the lookout we got to see some mule deer and a meandering fox. Anyone who wears the red vests work their and provide amazing information. Once you return back in, you can see a variety of different exhibits that detail the hunt, the tools used, and what they did with the meat, hide, and other natural resources. They had many exhibits on the Blackfoot people and part of the cultural and the after settlers arrived and what they brought. There was a really cool video to watch and other different interactive displays. The bottom floor you can see different animal that have been taxidermied, and the excavation process. Really neat and so happy we finally went out and saw it!
Suzannah MacDonald
00
Sometimes a life changing experience is just around the corner! On October 5th my wife and I stopped in at HSBJ after many years on the todo list. We finally got there and wow what an experience! It was very quiet, and the first person to greet us was a jovial white-haired local. Little did we know the journey he would take us on. For 90 minutes he told us one-on-one the stories from his childhood to now with experiences we'll never forget. Whether it was his early life is residential schools, his work with government, his strong family ties and an amazing devotion to forgiveness, understanding and positivity. Little Leaf as he's known - took us on a path through the eyes of the Indigenous community and how education and compassion can be example for all of us. THANK YOU Little Leaf, you helped us to understand in a deep and meaningful way the divisions among us that need to be healed. We are grateful for time together! For anyone keen to understand the heritage and culture of our Indigenous friends - please spend some time at Head-Smashed in Buffalo Jump and ask for LITTLE LEAF!!
Trevor Nimegeers
00
I have visited several buffalo jumps with my study of Native American culture. Though not as large as the Madison Buffalo Jump in Montana, there is a reason that Head-Smashed in Buffalo Jump has been designated as a UNESCO site in southern Alberta, The cliff, made of fragile sandstone is protected from exploring further than the 200 yard walkway that leads you close to the edge. From this vantage point you look out over the broad and beautiful Oldman River Valley where the Natives camped and processed buffalo meat for 6000 years. The original fall off the cliff's edge has been shortened by 20-30 meters from the accumulation of buffalo bones that had piled up after thousands of years. There are six floors of finely curated artifacts, interpretive displays, and paintings. There are elevators to all floors. There is also a theater that plays thhroughout the day a 15 minute video of a renactment of a buffalo hunt. There is a cafe and plenty of restrooms conveniently located.
Loring Walawander
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We were charged for two admissions, my daughter has status and showed her status card before we paid. And they still charge double which I didn’t notice until I checked my bank statement today. So I called the facility and explained what happened. And in a not so friendly way, she told me that it’s my problem and that they don’t give refunds and basically too bad. That next time she’ll get in for free. That’s a very bad customer service. Especially for an indigenous Person who’s right it is to attend that site. Now the fellow inside that talked to us and told us a lot The history of the culture, he was amazing. He had wonderful energy about him. So I’m not gonna slam the actual museum, but the girls that take your money in admissions, they need to learn how to deal with customer service a little better, And maybe head smashed in Buffalo jump needs to have some sort of policy where if those girls make a mistake, the customer doesn’t have to suffer the consequences for it
Darilee M
00
This place should be on everyone's bucket list. As a UNESCO world heritage site you know there is going to be a unique history you simply can't get anywhere else. This tour is broken up into a couple of pieces. I recommend you watch the quick 15 minute movie giving you some history of the Buffalo jump, then head all the way up to the lookout trail and the lookout. As you take in the views from the lookout try to imagine the thunder that would have filled the silence as the Buffalo were stampeding to the cliffs edge. From there work your way back down the floors taking in all of the culture and history of this unique location. After you're done I hope you have saved some time to walk the lower trails through the plains to the various locations, like the kill zone itself. First to take in the beauty of the grasslands and the cliff faces to the west but also to feel and hear the absolute stillness and silence the grasslands can offer when sheltered by the cliffs.
James Conner
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Basic Info
Address
secondary Highway #785, Fort MacLeod, AB, Canada
Map
Phone
+1 403-553-2731
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Website
headsmashedin.ca
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Overview
4.7
(905 reviews)
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cultural
outdoor
scenic
family friendly
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Description
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is a buffalo jump located where the foothills of the Rocky Mountains begin to rise from the prairie 18 km west of Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada, on Highway 785. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of a museum of Blackfoot culture.
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