Elders from across the Blackfoot Confederacy are invited to a dinner and gathering Tuesday, Oct. 17 at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Doors open at 10:30 a.m. with opening ceremonies at 11 a.m. and dinner served at 12 noon.
“This is an opportunity for us to give thanks to the elders, recognize and appreciate their input to the site over the years,” the buffalo jump’s Quinton Crow Shoe said.
The elders dinner and gathering returns after a four-year hiatus brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“With the COVID-19 pandemic, we felt that it was best to put this special event off until it was safe to continue,” Crow Shoe said.
The staff at Head-Smashed-In have been busy planning the event.
The Alberta Birds of Prey Centre will bring Sarah the Eagle to visit with the elders as a special guest.
The buffalo jump will also provide drum and dance demonstrations as part of the day’s entertainment.
“All elders within the Blackfoot Confederacy communities are invited to attend,” Crow Shoe said. “We do have a cap for the number of guests, therefore we are asking elders to please confirm their attendance.
People can call Head-Smashed-In at 403-553-2731 to register.
The elders dinner and gathering originated many years ago as an elders Christmas dinner, but due to conflicting Christmas events, Head-Smashed-In staff made the decision to move it closer to Thanksgiving, keeping in line with the ancient Buffalo Harvest at this time of year.
