Take in Alberta's southwest

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Travelling south along Hwy 2 from Calgary takes you almost into the heart of Indian country.

About an hour and a half outside of Calgary, turn west at Buffalo Junction and you're on your way to the UNESCO-World Heritage Site of Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump.

All interpreters at the centre are Native, from either the nearby Peigan or Blood reserves, which adds an interesting and unique perspective to the commentary. Walter Crowshoe, who's co-ordinator and supervisor for the interpretive guides and a Peigan, points out that people from around the world come to Head-Smashed-In to not only hear the tales of the Natives who once, along with the buffalo, roamed the open plains, but also to meet Native people.

"It's definitely one of our drawing points," said Shirley Bruised Head, education officer.

Buffalo Days Pow Wow and Tipi Village from July 21 to 23 attracts both participants and visitors from across North America and Europe. As many as 250 dancers participate in children, youth, teen, adult, and senior powwow categories. There are usually seven drum groups. This powwow is heavily attended by tourists because it is accessible - and visible.

"We're a world renown interpretive centre," said Bruised Head. "That helps to attract visitors."

There are four tipis available for rent between April and October at the interpretive centre.

"They're usually very popular during the time of the powwow," said Bruised Head. "People just want to experience sleeping in a tipi."

Tipis sleep up to 10 comfortably, with a charge of $50 per night for an occupancy of six. Additional people are charged extra.

Dancing and drumming demonstrations are held in the early afternoon on Wednesdays throughout the month of August. Dancers and drummers come from the Blood and Peigan reserves. Interpretation is provided, explaining each dance.

Head back to Hwy 2, exit on Hwy 3 west and you will travel deeper into Indian country.

Indian Days are celebrated on the Peigan reserve on Aug. 4 to 6.

"It was the first Indian Days ever in Canada," said this year's committee chair, Brian Jackson. This year marks the 42nd celebration. Originally begun as a traditional gathering for ceremonial uses and an opportunity to meet with family, the celebrations have taken on a new meaning over the years - although still a celebration of Native ways.

The powwow, which attracts dancers from all over North America and as far away as Arizona and the Yukon has in excess of $38,000 in total prize money.

Another attraction is the second annual stick game tournament, which this year has had the purse raised to $25,000 from $5,000.

The rodeo, sanctioned by the Indian Cowboy Rodeo Association, attracts Native cowboys from all over Alberta, Montana and the northwest United States. The purse here is as high as $25,000. The first ever youth rodeo will be held this summer with total winnings of $5,000 offered. The rodeo is a popular one on the powwow circuit, said Jackson, noting that the przie money is better than most and even higher this year.

A little further west and a couple of weeks later, is the Pincher Creek Fair and Rodeo. Held Aug. 18 to 20, the fair has been getting more and more of an Indian presence.

"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. Six to seven tipis are set up; all tipis must be painted and their owners must be able to interpret the symbols. They're opened for public viewing and tipi residents are encouraged to do beading, crafts or tell stories for visitors, said Crowshoe. Four of the six tipis are open at all times during the weekend.

Also a growing part of the fair is a Native show, whether dance theatre, story telling or a dance trupe.

"We'll be doing dancing this year because it's so popular," said Crowshoe. "We get local dancers involved because we firmly believe this is Blackfoot territory and we want to promote our dances, our culture."

Dances are held twice daily, but not during rodeo competition.

A softball tournament will also take place during the fair. Held for the first time last year only for fun, prize money this year will heat up the competition.

In the other direction, heading east on Hwy 3 at the junction of Hwy 2, Fort Macleod offers some entertainment. While there is nothing new this summer season at the Fort Museum, the First Nation's Art of Adornment, a permanent exhibit, is a popular one. It follows Native dress from pre-contact with the white man to the 1950s, said executive director Ron Ulrich.

"It's the most popular exhibit," he said. "Partly because of its presentation and also because people have a genuine interest in various forms of adornment First Nations people use. People are familiar with it."

The evolution of Native dress is obvious. From pre-contact days when Native people would tan leather (buffalo, deer, or caribou) and adorn with shells and sinew to contact with the white man, when dress included flannels and cottons and the introduction of beadwork.

"The beadwork changed and became sophisticated," said Ulrich. "The 1900s and on saw highly elaborate work done - and sold."

Continuing east on Hwy 3 and then connecting back with Hwy 2, but this time heading south, the Kainai Powwow, Fair and Rodeo takes place on the Blood Reserve, July 14 to16. Dancers and drummers come from all over Canada and the United States to take part in the powwow competition, said Hank Shade, committee chair.

The Indian Cowboy Rodeo Association sanctioned rodeo attracts Native cowboys from all over Canada and the U.S. as well. Rodeo competition includes youth (July 12) and old timers, too.

A midway comes in for an added attraction for the fair.

Returning to Hwy 3 and headin east again, a stop in Lethbridge is warranted.

Fort Whoop-Up provides some insight into Indian Country. Two of the Fort's six interpreters are Native, which is a big hit with visitors, said executive director Richard Shockley. Tours are given on a daily basis throughout the summer and it's more realistic, said Shockley, when the guide talking about tipis and the Blackfoot side of trade is Blackfoot himself.

Wild West Weekend, held Aug. 12 and 13 at Fort Whoop-Up, is into its fourth year, expanded from its one day version. Intially with a couple of hundred people attending, the show has had an amazing increase in attendance with 500 to 600 people taking it in each day.