UNESCO celebration included Blackfoot culture

Westwind Weekly News Photo by Alexandra Noad. UNESCO: An Indigenous dancer performs during Head Smashed-In Buffalo Jump’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of Canada signing the UNESCO World Heritage Convention on July 29.

By Alexandra Noad
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Head Smashed-in Buffalo Jump, Alberta’s first World Heritage site was one of only three sites to host a celebration for the 50th anniversary of Canada signing United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Convention on July 29.

Visitors across the globe were treated to the sights, sounds and tastes of Blackfoot culture, along with their free admission to the site.

Patricia Kell, chief executive officer of National Trust for Canada says Head Smashed-in Buffalo Jump showcases the importance of including Indigenous history in world heritage.

“One of the gifts that Canada has given to the World Heritage Convention is really helping to move the bar in the way Indigenous heritage is managed and treated within the convention.”

The interpretive site at Head Smashed-in Buffalo Jump, which will celebrate 40 years next summer, gives visitors an understanding of the importance of the site to the Blackfoot people and how it was discovered.

Quinton Crowshoe, site marketing and special events coordinator for Head Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, says through UNESCO, the National Historic Designation and the Alberta Historic Designation, Blackfoot history will be preserved for generations to come.

“It’s with those designations that really support the preserving and preservation of this area, the land and honouring our way of life, our ancestors and allowing us to share our culture to the rest of the world.”

He adds that the site lives up to their slogan “feel the spirit”, as many visitors share how special they feel after their visit to the site.

The day began with performances from the Grassland Singers, followed by dancing and drumming demonstrations, which was presented as a mini powwow. Foreign visitors along with delegates, including Kell, had the opportunity to participate in the Grand Entry.

Kell says she was honoured to have the opportunity to participate and experience the Blackfoot culture.

“It’s a great honour to be here today and I’m deeply humbled by having the opportunity to participate in the activities going on,” she says. “The drummers, the dancers and the singers, it’s a magnificent spectacle, it’s such a lovely expression of human creativity and beauty; I’m very moved by being here.”

Canada is home to 22 World Heritage Sites, with six of them being in Alberta. Kell says its important to not take them for granted.

“I think Canadians need to be aware that these places are as important to the world as the pyramids and the Great Wall, which are so important, antd that we as Canadians should be proud of them.”