Oki from Alberta!

 

That simply means “hello” in the Black Foot language, as taught to us by native guide Tess, yesterday at Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo Jump Heritage Site.  It is possibly the oldest, largest, and best preserved of the many buffalo jump sites across the Western Plains.

We heard stories of the ancient buffalo hunting culture, discovered how the early Plains Peoples survived for more than five thousand years before the arrival of the Europeans.  Buffalo hunting declined with the introduction of the horse and the gun.  Europeans brought disease, trade goods, and new economic forces that led to the near extinction of the buffalo that had been a mainstay for food, shelter, clothing and other useful items.

The Plains People were ingenious in how they lured the buffalo to their death over this cliff.  Everyone pitched in to process and use all of the buffalo parts necessary for daily survival.  It was a true village effort to merely survive.

They came from “that way.”  Note the plains down below in the background…they extend down to Old Man River, which was a major water source and village compound for the Plains Peoples:

After lunch at the café at the site, we headed a bit N to historic Fort Macleod.  There we stepped back in time with another informative tour, learning about the challenging early years of the NWMP, now known as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

We had gotten so much education that some needed to go back to the coach to nap…because we had to have strength to go eat…again.  We drover back to a place in Waterton Village; the food was good; but the service was S.L.O.W.

These sightings were worth the trip—lucky us, Wilt, and Barbara got to see this “bear jam” after dinner.  The first little guy (gal?) was just off the road (same bear):

These two were just a few yards further down the road, up on the hillside:

Woohoo…exciting!  Yay, Alberta.

Caravans are sooo much fun!  Today, will find us moving to a different CG.  Stay tuned for details.

Life is good…on the road again!  Smiles and smiles…