Yes, you read that title correctly. And no, we have not resorted to making stuff up just to keep the posts exciting. In southern Alberta there is a place called Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump and it is absolutely worth visiting.
I heard about this at least twenty years ago and promptly forgot where it was, figuring I would never see it anyway. Then while in San Diego, our Canadian RV neighbors told us about it and said we should visit. Then somewhere else along the way someone else mentioned it too, and then a couple of others. And really, they had us at the "Head-Smashed-In" part, because you know, you HAVE to have that t-shirt.
We were totally expecting a sort of "Roadside America" experience, similar to that place where we camped right outside Petrified Forest National Park, where the dinosaur sculptures were falling apart and the gift shop was never actually opened although there were always at least three cars in the lot. I was brainstorming some sort of hilarious post and even Kevin was saying, "I can't wait to see the spin you put on this one for the blog." And then we arrived at said attraction.
I heard about this at least twenty years ago and promptly forgot where it was, figuring I would never see it anyway. Then while in San Diego, our Canadian RV neighbors told us about it and said we should visit. Then somewhere else along the way someone else mentioned it too, and then a couple of others. And really, they had us at the "Head-Smashed-In" part, because you know, you HAVE to have that t-shirt.
We were totally expecting a sort of "Roadside America" experience, similar to that place where we camped right outside Petrified Forest National Park, where the dinosaur sculptures were falling apart and the gift shop was never actually opened although there were always at least three cars in the lot. I was brainstorming some sort of hilarious post and even Kevin was saying, "I can't wait to see the spin you put on this one for the blog." And then we arrived at said attraction.
I have nothing funny. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, first of all, and although I do not know exactly what that means I know better than to poke fun. Also, the interpretive center (which is modern and extremely nice) is full of really great native tribal history. It is probably the best we have encountered yet on this trip, and we have seen LOTS of Native American history so that's saying something.
Then there is the little matter of how the buffalo jump got that interesting name. We thought it was because when the buffalo were driven over the cliff they got their heads smashed in (duh, right?). But actually, the legend says a young boy hid under the ledge during one of the hunts because he wanted to see the giant beasts fall. When the hunters came down to retrieve the fallen animals they found the child with his head crushed by the weight of the bison. That's horrible. At some point this week I will likely have a nightmare.
Then there is the little matter of how the buffalo jump got that interesting name. We thought it was because when the buffalo were driven over the cliff they got their heads smashed in (duh, right?). But actually, the legend says a young boy hid under the ledge during one of the hunts because he wanted to see the giant beasts fall. When the hunters came down to retrieve the fallen animals they found the child with his head crushed by the weight of the bison. That's horrible. At some point this week I will likely have a nightmare.
In addition to the really excellent interpretive center, some members of the Piegan, Blood and Blackfoot tribes performed a pow-wow and dances for us. They performed all kinds, but the best was the Chicken Dance. No lie. And yeah, when it was introduced I kind of expected a native version of that awful craze Americans were all so inexplicably taken with to the point that most of us did it at every wedding reception and office party we attended from roughly 1991-97. I think Kevin and I gave our DJ strict orders: "NO CHICKEN DANCE." Or maybe it was the Conga Line we put the kibosh on...either way.
So no, I have nothing humorous to say about Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, and if you are ever up this way we recommend you go. Even if you are not big on First Nations and Native American history, you know you want the t-shirt.
-Jenni
-Jenni