Days 8 and 9

Oki (Hello in the Blackfoot language)

The next 2 days started like an episode of Survivor - the bus drove us down some gravel roads, unloaded the fearless leaders, guides and students with their belongings for the next 2 days and drove off...We met our host Rael and started the trek into our tipi camp, Painted Reflections. The trek was not too bad, only about 1/4 mile, but it was drizzling out and a storm was coming. We all quickly got our stuff into our tipis and made our way to the fire and the lunch tent as we waited for the rain to pass.

After lunch, we participated in a service project. The students were able to spend about an hour clearing a trail. They seemed to enjoy it, although it was hard work and the mosquitoes were out in force, but like the little troopers they are, they went about their work without complaints.

After our trail clearing was completed, the students were able to enjoy some much needed "free time" sitting in their tipis, enjoying the campfire, or playing football or soccer in the clear area.

Not before too long, it was dinner time. We feasted on Spaghetti that Rael's wife, Jillie, had made and then gathered around the campfire to listen to stories about the Blackfoot from Kirby. He told the students the story about Napi and about all the different Blackfoot in the region. We were staying with Blackfoot from the Piikani Nation.

Bedtime came too quickly for the students, but they were excited about the next day and going to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump.

We were all able to sleep in until 8 before we had to get moving to make it to the Interpretation Center at the "Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. Our guide taught the students about how the Blackfoot feel they are taking care of this land - they do not own it - they are simply caretakers. He pointed out the different regions and the students were all surprised that they could see Montana in the far off distance.

We were able to experience a Pow-Wow and saw some beautiful dancing and drumming. We were all in awe of the spectacular regalia (costumes) that the performers wore and the dances as well. Most of the students also got to get up and perform the "Friendship Dance" with the performers. We toured the Interpretive Center and learned about the Buffalo Jump and how it sustained the Blackfoot and how no piece of the Buffalo was wasted and how quickly they had to process the meat and hides. It was all very fascinating.

After we arrived back at camp, most of the students enjoyed participating in a "sweat" which is a privilege to be invited to. They were told that this was not a religious ceremony, but merely a time to pray for your loved ones, both living and those who have passed on. After the sweat, some students chose to swim in the glacier-fed river. Jillie told them how the mud would help keep the mosquitoes away and they all enjoyed slathering it on themselves and others. As for me, I waded in the water a bit, but decided I could keep an eye on the students better from shore (that's my story and I'm sticking to it).

That night, we had a buffalo stew feast with fry bread and salad. The students really enjoyed the buffalo meat. Once around the campfire for the evening, more dancers came to our camp for a private demonstration. They were able to see the Grass Dance, Traditional Womens, Jingle Dance, Chicken Dance and Prairie Chicken Dance, plus a few more. The students heard stories about the dances and even learned the Couples Dance (video to follow upon our return) and the Chicken Dance. The professional/award winning dancers judged a Chicken Dance contest and Ben is the Chicken Dance King!

After taking some pictures and thanking the dancers for coming and sharing with us, the students spent some more time at the campfire roasting marshmallows and making smores before bedtime. While we hated to leave the next morning, we were all looking forward to showers! Onto Calgary tomorrow....