Experience Guide | Tourism Medicine Hat

Saamis Tepee The Saamis Tepee is a tribute to Indigenous heritage in Canada. It was originally constructed for the Calgary 1988 Winter Olympics. The late Amerigo “Rick” Nella Filanti, a prominent Medicine Hat entrepreneur and philanthropist, purchased the Tepee from the City of Calgary in the hope to give the City a landmark with some allure. After being moved to Medicine Hat, erection and assembly of the major structural elements of the Saamis Tepee began Oct. 20, 1991, and was completed in less than one week. Below the Saamis Tepee, in scenic Seven Persons coulee, lies one of the Northern Plains archaeological sites — the Saamis Archaeological Site. Take time to explore and photograph this area. It boasts one of the foremost important archaeological sites of the Northern Plains.

Within the circle of the Tepee, ten illustrated storyboards are visible. These boards were all hand-painted and represent a variety of influences and history of Indigenous heritage.

THE BLACKFOOT CONFEDERACY Interpretation and Painting by Henry Standingalone. This scene depicts the things that are important

THE LEGEND OF HOW MEDICINE

HAT GOT ITS NAME Interpretation

to Blackfoot people yesterday and today. The Sun was worshiped for its life-giving source to the Blackfoot people. The buffalo skull represents the Power and Spirit of the traditional food source and the painted symbols on it represent: Sun in the center, pairs of Sun Dogs on each side, Crescent Moon above, Morning Star below, and Hail Stones, or Thunder, all around. The Tepee represents the main household that was originally made from buffalo hides, The Seven Moons is a representation of the Legend of the Dipper and all the legends that have been passed down from generation to generation.

and Painting by Joseph Hind Bull. The scene depicts the

sadness that overcomes Eagle Birth and his new bride for the sacrifice of a fellow human to the merman. The merman is excited over his new meal. The Tepee is the gift the otter man has given Eagle Birth to use on his Tepee design. The blue circle, where Eagle Birth and his woman are drawn in is our world and the little blue circle is the merman world. The green half of the picture is the colour of deep water. The yellow depicts the brightness of our own world. The Eagle feathers are the truths by which every man lives.

Indigenous Spaces & Places

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