Experience Guide | Tourism Medicine Hat

Stories Behind the Land

Saratoga Trail

Explore Medicine Hat’s Indigenous history with this self-guided tour, made by The Miywasin Friendship Centre and partners.

Saratoga Park This space was a Métis community

Riverside Veterans’ Memorial Park Indigenous Military Service Thousands of Indigenous peoples have served in the Canadian Military, including all of the conflicts presented on Medicine Hat’s Cenotaph. In some cases many members of the same family went overseas to serve, sacrific ing much. Four Bliss brothers; Pat, Joe, Bill, and Tassie, served in the trenches of the First World War. Tassie was injured,

having his forearm amputated, and Bill struggled in his return to civilian life. Bill enlisted in 1915 at the age of 19 with the third CMR. Bill was wounded at Ypres in 1916 by shell in the trenches. He contracted influenza in 1917 and was discharged in 1919 at the age of 23. Explore the area: This park is located in Medicine Hat’s Historic Downtown. Nearby is the Miywasin Friendship Centre , where gatherings

until the mid-2000s. It was recognized a Historic Designation in 2020, and a plaque was unveiled in 2021 that shares more information about the space and photos. Explore the area: Follow the paved

trail to the plaque and where the Métis community was once located. Continue on to see cliff-side views. You can also paddle Seven Persons Creek that runs through the park. Find page 76 for more details.

are often hosted to the public like drum circles and bannock & tea.

Indigenous Spaces & Places 10