Discover Indigenous Culture in Southern Alberta at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump

Southern Alberta is home to an incredibleand rich history, and that includes the history of the Blackfoot and IndigenousPeople of the Northwestern Plains. Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site and award-winning interpretive centre, preserving a smallportion of the incredibly diverse and rich history and culture; telling thestory of the Blackfoot and Indigenous People of the Northwestern Plains. Thissummer, in addition to their stellar interpretive centre, Head-Smashed-In BuffaloJump will be hosting drumming and dancing performances in their outdoor plazaevery Wednesday in July and August.

Drumming and Dancing Performances

Each Wednesday, there will be performancesby some of Canada’s best First Nations dancers. At 11 AM and 1:30 PM eachWednesday you will have the opportunity to enjoy a performance of multiplestyles of dance, including chicken dances, warrior dances, and many morebeautiful styles of First Nations dance. If the weather doesn’t permit anoutdoor performance, the interpretive centre is more than capable of hostingthe dancing and drumming indoors, also allowing for incredible views of theperformance from the upper levels of the interpretive centre.

While the addition of drumming and dancingperformances each Wednesday is incredible, the programming at Head-Smashed-InBuffalo Jump is still more than enough to fill your time any other day of theweek!

Inside the Interpretive Centre

The interpretive centre at Head-Smashed-InBuffalo Jump is an award winning centre that offers a unique and thoughtfullycrafted experience that takes you through many different facets of the life andculture of the Blackfoot and Indigenous People of the Northwestern Plains. Thisthree-level interpretive centre allows you to get up close and personal withthe culture, people, and practice of buffalo jumps, and Blackfoot andIndigenous People of the Northwestern Plains. At ground level, there is atheatre showing a film depicting the buffalo hunt, showing every 15 minutes.There are also multiple interactive and static displays throughout the floor tohelp illustrate the history of the site, and how it was uncovered.

As you ascend through the interpretivecentre, you’ll learn about the incredible coordination required for the buffalohunt, the people who participated, and the land which they inhabited. By thetime you reach the outdoor observation viewpoint that overlooks an originalbuffalo jump that was used for hundreds of years, you’ll have a much greaterappreciation for the beauty of the culture that used to inhabit these lands.

Outside the Interpretive Centre

Don’t forget to take a moment out on theiroutdoor observation viewpoint and gaze over not only the historic site of thebuffalo jump which the site is named after, but at the vast prairie landscapethat sits in front of it. There are large sets of stationary binoculars thatvisitors can use to get a better view of the vast landscape that the centresits in front of. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site unlike any other, with alandscape to match its unique qualities.

From the outdoor observation viewpoint, youcan choose to head back inside or continue your time outdoors by walking one ofthe interpretive trails located on site. The trails offer a chance to enjoy thefresh air and scenery, and a chance to learn more about the site while walkingthrough it!

Gift Shopping at Napi's Gift Shop

This summer inside of the interpretivecenter also sees the return of Napi’s Gift Shop, which has been closed sincethe COVID-19 pandemic saw most indoors spaces shutting down. Now, you can get agift or small souvenir to remember your visit to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump.

Whether you visit on a Wednesday and cansee the incredible drumming and dancing that has been added to the interpretivecentres programming, or you’re there during a regular day, there is more thanenough to experience and see at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump this summer!

Don't forget to share all your adventuresout at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump with us on social media using #ExploreLethbridge.We check the hashtag often, and even like to share some of our favourite shoton social media. Don't worry, we always ask for permission before reposting!