Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump

I didn't even know what a buffalo jump was until Rick, our neighbor, told us about the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump near Fort McLeod, Canada.  Once Don had heard about it, he had to go see it.  Luckily, it was not far off the trail home.

The visitor center is camouflaged into the bluffs where the jump is.  Once inside, visitors go to the sixth floor and first observe the bluffs where the buffalo were stampeded off.  

Then we came inside for the story of how the Native Americans used the buffalo.  Included is a beautiful movie that simulates the preparation for and execution of the stampede.  The thought of stampeding animals to their deaths is rather repulsive, but the native people greatly respected and were thankful for the animals.  They used every part they possibly could, and it was obvious that without the buffalo, they would not have survived.

Since we saw the jump, we have heard about several more in the area.  Funny how once you hear about something, then you are more attuned to it.  We learned a lot that day, not only about the Native Americans but also about perseverance and survival.