Indigenous Experiences
Oki and welcome to Sikoohkotok (Lethbridge)! Oki means hello in Blackfoot, and it is the official greeting of Sikoohkotok (Lethbridge). This page is meant as a starting point for visitors and locals looking to broaden their understanding of Indigenous history, culture, and contributions in Lethbridge and Southern Alberta. Below you’ll find a list of some of the Indigenous experiences you can have in Lethbridge and the surrounding area.
Land acknowledgement
The City of Lethbridge acknowledges that we are gathered on the lands of the Blackfoot people of the Canadian Plains and pays respect to the Blackfoot people past, present and future while recognizing and respecting their cultural heritage, beliefs, and relationship to the land. The City of Lethbridge offers respect to the Métis and all who have lived on this land and made Lethbridge their home.
Lethbridge Indigenous Experiences
Fort Whoop-Up
Fort Whoop-Up is a replica of an original fur trading fort built in the late 1800s. Learn about the buffalo robe and illegal whisky trade as you discover how the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), First Nations, Métis, Canadians, Americans, and British all had an influence on the culture and politics of the time (including the stories of a few notorious characters). Other experiences here include hay rides, guided tours, and a gift shop selling Indigenous goods.
Iissksiniip Coulee Walk at Lethbridge Polytechnic
The land on which Lethbridge Polytechnic sits has been providing sustenance and spiritual connections for generations of Blackfoot people. The Iissksiniip Coulee Walk is an interpretative self-guided tour that explores the traditional plants found in the area and shares some of the traditional creation stories of the Siksikaitsitapi, the Blackfoot Confederacy; visitors are urged to reflect on how shared connections with nature can bring people together in the spirit of reconciliation. The walk begins on the west side of the Lethbridge College campus and tours around the coulees, and is open to the public.
The Galt Museum & Archives/Akaisamitohkanao’pa
The Galt Museum & Archives/Akaisamitohkanao’pa is home to over 17,000 artifacts and more than one million archival documents and photographs. Keep an eye out for rotating exhibits that showcase Blackfoot culture, while you can also find numerous walking trails and beautiful gardens that reflect the local ecosystems. There’s also excellent programming at The Galt that includes educational events featuring Blackfoot language, art, culture, music, and more.
Casa Community Arts Centre
Casa Community Arts Centre is an interdisciplinary arts centre in Lethbridge with a free-to-visit gallery space that regularly features local Blackfoot artists. Keep an eye out for upcoming projects, as new exhibits and artists are constantly being celebrated here. Casa also hosts workshops, film screenings, art documentaries, community projects, and artist talks to encourage connection, engagement, and celebration in Lethbridge and beyond.
International Peace Powwow
The Blackfoot Canadian Cultural Society hosts an annual contemporary arts festival during the last weekend of February in Lethbridge. Promoting the culture of the Blackfoot people as well as raising Indigenous awareness, the festival showcases the best that Indigenous cultures have to offer in music, dance, and the visual arts, including stunning competitive dances that shouldn’t be missed.
Warrior Relay Races at RMTC
Head to the Rocky Mountain Turf Club in Lethbridge for the exciting event that is warrior relay racing. An event that is just as much about reconciliation and healing for a new generation as it is a sport, warrior relay racing involves riding thoroughbred horses bareback and transferring to different horses along the way. It’s a thrilling glimpse into the history of horseback riding in Southern Alberta.
Indigenous Experiences Near Lethbridge
Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park / Áísínai’pi
100 kilometres southeast of Lethbridge lies Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park / Áísínai’pi, one of the largest areas of protected prairie in the Alberta park system. It serves as both a nature preserve and as a place of protection for many Indigenous rock carvings and paintings that date back thousands of years. In fact, it contains the greatest concentration of rock art on the North American Great Plains, with over 50 petroglyph sites and thousands of other works of note.
Pale Horse Tipi Camp
Located approximately 70 kilometres west of Lethbridge on the Piikani Nation Reserve, Pale Horse Tipi Camp provides authentic Blackfoot tipi lodging in the foothills of Southern Alberta, one of the most ecologically diverse ecosystems in the world. Experiences at the camp include cultural awareness programs, horseback riding, medicine hikes, craft making, berry picking, traditional games, Elder storytelling, and evening dances.
Buffalo Rock Tipi Camp
Found around 80 kilometres west of Lethbridge on the Piikani Nation Reserve, Buffalo Rock Tipi Camp is a family-run camp that aims to connect people to nature. Sleep under the stars, hike with a Cottonwood Valley expert, eat authentic food, take part in one of the many workshops, and experience a traditional ceremony led by an Elder - these are just a few of the experiences to be had at Buffalo Rock Tipi Camp. School and youth group packages are available, too.
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Found about 70 kilometres west of Lethbridge, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site that preserves and interprets over 6,000 years of Plains Buffalo culture. In fact, it is the best-preserved example of the communal hunting techniques and way of life of the Plains people in the world. Through vast landscapes, exhibits, and diverse programming, learn about the cultural significance of this cliff and the people who have lived here for thousands of years.
Blackfoot Crossing Heritage Park
160 kilometres north of Lethbridge, Blackfoot Crossing Heritage Park is found on Siksika Nation. One of the best places to learn more about the Blackfoot people in all of Alberta, the heritage park contains a gallery, cafeteria, tipi village, conference centre, and gift shop. Explore the traditions, way of life, and proud heritage of the Siksika people through fascinating interactive exhibits and displays.
River Ranche Lodge
Found on beautiful Siksika Nation, approximately 160 kilometres north of Lethbridge, River Ranche Lodge offers the perfect mix of guidance and freedom to interpret the land on your own. Enjoy a multi-day cultural stay, cultural tours, Bow River fly fishing, bird game hunts, and more, all overlooking the pristine river valley on ancient land.
Spotted Eagle Contracting
Based out of Cardston, 80 kilometres southwest of Lethbridge, Spotted Eagle Contracting offers shuttle services for small groups so that you can travel from attraction to attraction safely, comfortably, and quickly. They also offer Blackfoot Native American Tours which are guided by a knowledgeable Elder, visiting the historical spots that interest you most (including but not limited to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Blackfoot Crossing, and Fort Whoop-Up from an Indigenous perspective).
Journey Through Alberta’s Heartland Indigenous Tour
Experience the diverse wonders of Alberta’s heartland with an Indigenous tour across Southern Alberta. This 9-night tour begins in Calgary and dives headfirst into the heart of Alberta’s Indigenous culture with hands-on experiences, including stops in Blackfoot Crossing, Lethbridge, Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, and more. From interactive workshops to immersive storytelling sessions, you’ll leave with a much deeper understanding of Southern Alberta’s history and traditions.
