A website dedicated to photographs and videos from Canada and around the world with an emphasis on nature, wildlife, food, travel and sport as well as art, architecture and culture. In culture, the focus will be on projects related to the work of His Highness the Aga Khan, his Ismaili Muslim community and Islam in general.
The Siksika First Nations People: An Epic Day of Celebration and Learning at the Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park on the Commemoration Day of Treaty 7 – A Must Visit National Heritage Site
Exhibit, Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Alberta, September 22, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
The meaningful and magnificent Totem poles, Tipi tents, Indigineous People playing drums and dancing have been familiar to me since I arrived in Canada some 40 years ago. My first significant educational encounters with North America’s First Peoples were in Ottawa at the Canadian Museum of History and in 2005 in Washington DC at Smithsonian’s newly opened National Museum of the American Indian. One of the most amazing aspects of the Indigineous People is the art of story telling. Sometimes you become sad at reading them but most stories warm your hearts. They are at times baffling. The significance of nature and creation in indigenous culture has deep meaning. If you are ever at Elk Island National Park, you must spend some time reading the illustrated stories on panels outside the Visitors Centre Building at the South entrance. They are enchanting and many describe the tradition and respect for animals in indigineous thought. Children will enjoy the stories and illustrations.
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A view of the main building of the Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park from the lookout point. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
In Calgary, the naming of streets and roads such as Sarcee Trail, Shaganappi Trail, Metis Trail, Blackfoot Trail made me more aware about the strong influence and presence of the various First Peoples that have lived in Alberta for 11,000 years!
Being a subscriber to numerous newsletters that keep me informed about events taking place in and around Calgary, I was excited to learn about the anniversary of the signing of Treaty 7 that was being commemorated at the Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park on Friday, September 22, 2023. I wasn’t aware that there was a National Heritage Site of immense significance just 115 kms away dedicated to the Siksika — meaning Blackfoot in English — First Nations People. I set out to spend an entire day at the Historical Park to learn about the history and culture of the Siksika people and to enjoy the events commemorating the Treaty.
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Upon arrival for the commemoration of Treaty 7, visitors were greeted to a passionate performance of indigenous drum beating that went on for a few hours. At the distant, you can see the lookout platform that has a stunning view of the valley and the Bow River; Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Alberta, September 22, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Lookout point with a panel explaining the area and its features; Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Alberta, September 22, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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The full day event from 10 AM to 4 PM included a hand drum competition, a BBQ lunch, indigneous dancing by children and youth as well as an extended guided tour of the building. As it turned out, all the events were free including the entrance to the museum and the lunch, in commemoration of the historic day. Between 11:30 AM and 1 PM, visitors were served a BBQ lunch inside the building.
The museum on the ground floor was very educational and the exhibits were very well presented. It is one where you want to see every object and read everything! It has been thoughtfully curated. There is a nice gift shop on the main floor as well as a cafetaria.
The performance in the amphitheatre by children and youth — their drum playing and dancing in colourful dresses– was joyful to watch. This was a perfect day to visit a perfect place. The staff and members of the organizing committee I met right from my arrival at the parking lot were warm. There was enthusiasm and excitement on their faces as they welcomed visitors. I am pleased to present a collection of photographs I took during my visit to a great National Heritage Site, so close to Calgary.
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MUSEUM
A view of the beautiful and informative museum dedicated to the Siksika People located on the ground floor of the building; Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Alberta, September 22, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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One of several Tipi structured spaces in the museum exhibiting Siksika cultural objects along with textual information; Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Alberta, September 22, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Looking up — the ceiling of the Tipi structured space holding artefects and objects (see previous photo) related to the Siksika people; Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Alberta, September 22, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Story exhibit in the museum; Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Alberta, September 22, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Sign language exhibit in the museum, explains the importance of the “universal” sign language and its context within the indigineous culture; Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Alberta, September 22, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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THEATRE: HAND DRUM CONTEST
A participant performs in the hand drum contest held inside the beautiful small theatre to commemorate Treaty 7; Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Alberta; September 22, 2023. Photogph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Participants perfrom in the hand drum contest held inside the beautiful small theatre to commemorate Treaty 7; Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Alberta; September 22, 2023. Photogph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A view of the beautiful theatre and participants in the hand drum contest to commemorate Treaty 7; Blackfoot Crossing Historical Parl, Alberta; September 22, 2023. Photogph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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MORE MUSEUM
A view of a series of informative panels dedicated to the life and accomplishments of Chief Crowfoot (or Isapo-muxika). He was Chief of Siksika Nation and lived from 1830-1890. He was also a diplomat who negotiated with the federal government on behalf of the Blackfoot Confederacy. He was a key link between Indigenous peoples on the western plains and the newcomers and was a key negotiator of Treaty Number 7; Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Alberta, September 22, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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An amazing scupture exhibited on the ground floor of the MUST visit Blackfoot Crossing Museum. The sculpture was presented on the 125th anniversary commemoration of Treaty 7 by the Hon. Ralph Klein, then Premier of Alberta, on behalf of the people of Alberta, and the Ministry of Alberta Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development at Blackfoot Crossing Treaty Flats on September 18, 2002; Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Alberta, September 22, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant.
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One in a series of several panels displaying text of the Indian Act and its subsequent amendments; Blackfoot Crossing Historcial Park, Alberta, September 22, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant.
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A panel on the importance of children in Siksika culture; Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Alberta, September 22, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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An interactive display of animal words in the Siksika language; Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Alberta, September 22, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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TRAIL AND LOOKOUT POINT
The lookput point, 300 hundred metres from the main building, overlooks a stunning valley with the Bow River passing through it. The autumn colours looked marvellous and were still turning as of last week. Some kilometres across are the hills where Treaty 7 was signed. Visitors can also walk down a well constructed paved trail to view the Tipis and visit the grave of the famed leader Chief Crowfoot. There is also trail access the Bow River — it is a long walk!
A paved path leading to Tipi tents. Note the fall colours; Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Alberta, September 22, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A close-up view of the Bow River from the lookout point; Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Alberta, September 22, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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DRUM AND DANCE PERFORMANCE BY CHILDREN AND YOUTH, WITH SHORT VIDEO
A passionate drum performance by children and youth of the Siksika community; Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Alberta, September 22, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Colourful thematic dance performances by children and youth of the Siksika community. As was mentioned some of the dance performances were adopted from other indigienous communities across North America; Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Alberta, September 22, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Colourful thematic dance performances by children and youth of the Siksika community. As was mentioned, some of the dance performances were adopted from other indigienous communities across North America; Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Alberta, September 22, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Colourful thematic dance performances by children and youth of the Siksika community. As was mentioned some of the dance performances were adopted from other indigienous communities across North America; Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Alberta, September 22, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Colourful thematic dance performances by children and youth of the Siksika community. As was mentioned some of the dance performances were adopted from other indigienous communities across North America; Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Alberta, September 22, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Colourful thematic dance performances by children and youth of the Siksika community. As was mentioned some of the dance performances were adopted from other indigienous communities across North America; Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Alberta, September 22, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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It was an amazing day, and the leaders of the Blackfoot community want more and more people to visit the historical site. I join them in requesting individuals and families to visit this truly engrossing place that has been dedicated to showcase and preserve the life, history and culture of the Siksika people in a wonderful setting.
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