Bill Brink talks about his brother Jack.
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump paid tribute last week to a man who played a key role in development of the UNESCO world heritage site.
The interpretive centre’s theatre was dedicated to the memory of archaeologist Jack Brink, who died earlier this year.
Family, friends and interpretive centre staff gathered on the pavilion June 13 for a two-hour ceremony that culminated in the unveiling of a plaque that dedicates the theatre to Brink’s memory.
The plaque, which includes a photo of Brink, reads:
“Jack Brink was the longest-serving archaeologist at the Archaeological Survey of Alberta and former curator of archaeology at the Royal Alberta Museum.”
“He is best known for his outstanding contributions to the study of Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. Jack assumed responsibility for the archaeological and ethnographic research needed to guide the site’s development, and continued his involvement after the interpretive centre opened in 1987.”
“Brink’s work focused on understanding the hunting practices and social organization of the Indigenous peoples who used the site. To this end he fostered strong relations with many Blackfoot and local community members, and was well respected within his international network of archaeologists and heritage experts.”
“Jack wrote an award-winning book and numerous articles about the site and made many public appearances to increase awareness and appreciation of its importance.”
Piikani Nation elder Herman Many Guns said Brink was respected by the Piikani Nation elders and was a strong advocate on behalf of the Blackfoot with others in the archaeological community.
“Jack was the kind of person, he always took the time to be with us,” Many Guns said. “He really wanted to learn about the culture too.”
Quinton Crow Shoe, who is employed at Head-Smashed-In, remembers meeting Brink as a young child.
Jack would sit at the family’s kitchen table, listening to Joe Crow Shoe Sr. in his quest to learn about First Nations culture.
“He was a good man,” Quinton Crow Shoe said.
Many Guns and Peter Strikes With A Gun performed a smudging ceremony to help Brink on his journey.
“We have a way of sending him off in a good way, and in the right direction,” Many Guns said.
Bill Brink said Jack often spoke of Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump and the people he met on the Piikani Nation.
“Jack made his life out here,” Bill Brink said. “It was very special to him.”
Bill Brink told the audience how he idolized his older brother Jack, sharing stories of their adventures together and the archaeologist’s love for his family.
Jack Brink had a love of life and the people around him, and maintained his “goofy” character even as he rose in life to become a member of the Order of Canada.
Other family members shared similar stories of Jack’s importance in their lives, his love of family and his drive to experience the world.
Bill Brink said the family appreciates the honour bestowed on Jack at Head-Smashed-In, noting the buffalo jump had a place in his brother’s heart, as he wrote in his book: “It is a place to which I will return.”
