

This young hunter is chosen by his elders to find the Great Spirit to save his tribe from a harsh winter famine.Īfter venturing to the South Saskatchewan River, the young man sets up camp next to an opening, or breathing hole, in the ice – the supposed dwelling place of the Great Spirit. There are a few variations on the fable regarding how Medicine Hat acquired its name, but one of the more well-known versions is about a young Blackfoot man. Nowadays, this bustling small city is an underrated treasure for tourists to Alberta, and this article outlines all of the best things to do in Medicine Hat on your next visit. Even the city’s name comes from an ancient Blackfoot legend, as Medicine Hat is a loose translation of saamis, a Blackfoot word which more accurately translates to Medicine man’s hat. With all the traffic the area has seen, Medicine Hat and the surrounding lands are steeped in local folklore. But there could be another reason why cultures rested here, and some say it has to do with the spirit of the land itself.


The attraction likely has to do with the area’s geography, with its gently sloping valleys and merging waterways sheltered by burly cottonwood trees. Medicine Hat has long been a natural gathering place, from the Indigenous cultures who roamed here thousands of years ago, to the friendly, 65,000 (or so) Canadians inhabiting it now. Note that any pricing, operating hours, or other such information provided below may have changed since initial publication.
#Badlands guardian history full#
Please review our full Terms and Conditions for more information and our Privacy Policy. Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links.
