Explore Saskatchewan’s Indigenous Heritage Through Iconic Landmarks

Canadians are encouraged to explore their own country this summer, highlighting the significant Indigenous history interwoven with the nation’s landscape. Throughout Canada, landmarks serve as reminders of rich Indigenous narratives, which often differ markedly from colonial interpretations.

European explorers, when arriving in Canada, frequently assumed the land was empty and devoid of history. This misperception led to the naming of various geographical features based solely on their own references and experiences. For instance, the Cypress Hills were named after fur trees misidentified as cypress, as explorers failed to engage with the local context. Consequently, many Indigenous names and stories became part of oral traditions, while colonial names were inscribed on maps and accepted as fact.

Three Sisters and Chief Mountain: Stories of the Land

The Three Sisters mountain peaks near Canmore, Alberta, exemplify this clash of narratives. A surveyor for the Canadian Pacific Railway named the peaks after religious figures, calling them Faith, Hope, and Charity, with Hope being the tallest. However, the local Nakota people offer a different story. According to their tradition, three sisters once lived in the Kananaskis Valley and, threatened by a grizzly bear while berry picking, prayed to the Creator for protection. Responding to their plea, the Creator transformed them into mountains, ensuring their safety and establishing them as guardians over the valley.

In southern Alberta, Chief Mountain holds sacred significance for the Blackfoot Nation. Known as Ninaistakis in their language, meaning “the chief mountain,” it is regarded as a spiritual site where ceremonies and vision quests occur. Rising to an elevation of 9,000 feet, Chief Mountain is visible from as far away as Calgary and serves as a landmark that straddles the Canada-U.S. border, highlighting the cultural connections shared by Indigenous peoples across national lines.

Thunder Hills: A Sacred Site of the Woodland Cree

While Saskatchewan may lack the towering peaks of the Rockies, it is home to significant landmarks rooted in Indigenous history. One such site is the Thunder Hills, located west of Montreal Lake. This area is steeped in the lore of the Woodland Cree. A hunter once ventured into the hills seeking game and discovered a large hill filled with the bones of big game animals. He stumbled upon a nest believed to belong to a thunderbird, prompting him to leave the area out of fear. Upon returning to his village, he shared his discovery, leading to the site being considered sacred and off-limits to hunting.

The late elder Allen Bird of the Woodland Cree emphasized the importance of preserving Thunder Mountain. He noted that both the provincial government and logging companies had been advised to respect the site, ensuring that no logging activities would occur there. This commitment to preservation reflects a broader respect for Indigenous lands and their historical significance.

These examples from the Nakota, Blackfoot, and Woodland Cree highlight just a few of the many Indigenous stories associated with landmarks across Canada. The narratives associated with these sites offer profound insights into the cultural heritage of Indigenous peoples and underscore the importance of recognizing and respecting their histories.

As Canadians embark on local explorations this summer, they are encouraged to seek out and learn about these landmarks and the rich Indigenous histories they embody. By doing so, individuals not only honor the past but also contribute to a deeper understanding of the diverse narratives that shape the Canadian landscape today.