Experience Our Indigenous Culture

Waterton Lakes National Park is part of the traditional territory and a place of significance for Blackfoot people (Nitsitappii). Indigenous presence throughout southwest Alberta, including the Kootenai (Ktunaxa) and Flathead peoples, can be traced back almost 12,000 years. There is evidence of Indigenous presence for at least 10,000 years in Waterton. There are signs of campsites, fire rings and bison drive lanes among the large number of archaeological sites in the park. The Kenow Wildfire of 2017 uncovered a significant number of these cultural features, providing archeologists with a unique opportunity to explore how the area has been used through time.

All Photos Courtesy of Parks Canada/Chinara Adhofer

The Blakiston Valley is one of the park’s archeological hotspots. In addition to human activity, the Kenow Wildfire also revealed significant bison activity in the area. Many of the remains are close to a buffalo jump or drive lanes, which were used by Indigenous hunters. Parks Canada archeologists are piecing together the story of the bison and Indigenous peoples in the area, and continue to work with the Blackfoot to help understand these connections and share these stories with visitors.

All Photos Courtesy of Parks Canada/Chinara Adhofer

Waterton Lakes National Park is part of a rich cultural landscape that has been intertwined with local history and traditional Indigenous customs and ways of life for thousands of years. The land, water, air, animals and plants are all interconnected with significant meaning, and are woven together into the fabric of contemporary Blackfoot life. Parks Canada and the Blackfoot work together to offer programs and events to share native culture and knowledge with thousands of Waterton visitors each year.

Discover more about the Indigenous presence by attending one of these programs in 2019: • Blackfoot Drums and Dance • Blackfoot Crafts and Stories • Blackfoot Storytelling

All Photos Courtesy of Parks Canada/Chinara Adhofer