Much to see and do

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The southwest corner of Alberta can lay claim to many Native summer events designed to lure visitors to the area, but perhaps the most hands-on activity is the fish rescue on Piikani Nation territory.

For the past 12 years, volunteers spend the Thanksgiving Day weekend recording the species and size of fish left trapped in the irrigation canals of the Oldman River Dam system after the water flow has been turned off. Then they cart by the bucket-full, thousands of fish to the river and let them go.

The rescue is organized by the Peigan Friends Along the River, spearheaded in 1990 by Harley Bastien. It began as a family activity, said Bastien, and soon grew to include other people from as far away as Calgary to the north, who make the trip to help.

"Native culture is a balance with nature. Letting the fish die like this upsets that balance," he said.

Rescuers start at one end of the canal and, using giant nets, herd the fish about 500 metres to the shallow end. There, the stats recording occurs before the fish are released into the Old Man River. Among the fish recorded have been bull and rainbow trout, Rocky Mountain whitefish and pike.

Before you head to the fish rescue, you might want to wander through Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre, located off of Hwy 2 on Hwy 785, an hour-and-a-half south of Calgary. In 1981, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization declared the centre a world heritage site, one of 300 fragile environments to be protected for all time.

If you are in the area on Aug. 1 to 3, take Hwy 3 west to Indian Days on the Piikani reserve.

"It was the first Indian Days ever in Canada," said Piikani councillor Brian Jackson. Held now for more than 40 years, Indian Days was originally a traditional gathering for ceremonies and provided an opportunity to meet with family. Today, the celebrations have taken on a new meaning. The competition powwow attracts dancers from across North America with prize money in excess of $38,000.

Other attractions include the annual stick game tournament, which has a substantial purse, and the rodeo, sanctioned by the Indian Cowboy Rodeo Association.

While on the reserve, hikers can take part in the Oldman River Valley Walk and visit the Piikani Interpretive Lodge. The guided walk into the valley provides a way to learn the history and traditional way of life of the Piikani people. The half-kilometre trail runs along the top of the hillside. A lower walking trail, which is one-and-a-half kilometers long, is all gravel, sloped and with stairs, so hiking boots or good running shoes are needed.

Along the way guides talk about the plants and animals of the river valley, tell Blackfoot legends and provide a history of the Peigan people of the Piikani Nation.

A little further west and a couple of weeks later, is the Pincher Creek Fair and Rodeo. Held Aug. 15 to 17, the fair has been increasing its Native involvement.

"Napi (friendship centre) has been fundraising and the prize money for the Native component of the parade has enhanced the number of floats from the reserve," said Quinton Crowshoe, program co-ordinator with the friendship centre.

The friendship centre is also involved with the cultural component of the fair, which sees a tipi village erected on the grounds.

Tipis are open for public viewing and tipi residents are encouraged to do beading, crafts or tell stories for visitors, said Crowshoe. The majority of the tipis are open at all times during the weekend.