It was almost two years in the making but now there is a permanent installation recognizing the Indigenous community and heritage of the valley.
On Thursday, October 24, a Tipi sculpture was unveiled in the new park near the Badlands Community Facility (BCF). Members of the community as well as supporters gathered to officially open the site. Gerald Sitting Eagle offered a prayer for the occasion.
“The Tipi sculpture was a dream that started many years ago when I was asked if there were any Indigenous people in the valley, as there wasn’t anything visible to show the culture,’ said local Indigenous liaison Lynn Fabrick.
She felt she had an obligation to do something.
Fabrick opened Dry Canyon Collectables a few years ago and began sharing her story and culture. She saw the opportunity to collaborate on something.
The sculpture is an aluminum Tipi frame constructed by Dean Mahoney of Garry’s Welding and Supply and was supported by the Rotary Club, Travel Drumheller and the Town of Drumheller. The installation is near a natural low water area which has been used to ford the river for years, and is near the site where the annual Canada Day Dancing with Dinosaurs pow-wow takes place.
There is interpretation at the sculpture in English and Blackfoot, explaining the significance of the site.
“The Drumheller Valley, along the river in the trees is a sacred gathering space for many nations, that would leave their weapons in the hills and come to barter, share, feast and upon completion they would part ways, go back to their weapons and proceed to fight once again. This gathering space was a United Nations that wold hold a truce until completed.”
“My hope is the sculpture will deepen visitors' understanding and appreciation of Indigenous culture. This is a dream project for me, and I am so proud to see it finished. I hope it will become a must-see destination for everyone who visits offering a meaningful glimpse of our shared heritage,” said Fabrick.
