Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park is the first Indigenous-run Museum to receive a provincial award for social responsibility.
On Saturday (Sept. 14), the park was given the Robert R. Janes Award from the Alberta Museums Association. The award ceremony took place at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller.
"They laid out the red carpet for us. We had the award ceremony in their large auditorium. Following that, we were treated to an Indigenous fashion show, which was mind-blowing and beautiful to see how our culture is translated into contemporary fashion," said Shilo Clark, marketing and social media coordinator with the museum.
The event also included a gala that featured hors d'oeuvres served with a traditional Indigenous spin, such as bison meatballs.
"It was a really fun opportunity for us to socialize and not necessarily talk shop all the time, but to let our hair down and talk about what's good in the world," added Clark.
According to the Alberta Museums Association's website, the Robert R. Janes Award is to "support and further the work of museums that are solving community issues and promoting health and well-being."
Since forming back in 2007, the museum has dedicated time to the cultural preservation of the Siksika people, even retrieving Chief Crowfoot's regalia from the Royal Albert Memorial Museum in the United Kingdom.
According to Clark, the regalia was in the hands of an RCMP officer who had given it to his sister across the Atlantic Ocean. The sister then sold the artifacts to the museum before they were returned to Blackfoot Crossing two years ago.
"There's not a lot of our culture or language solidified in textbooks, so places like Blackfoot Crossing is where people can learn the truth about our culture from us, right from the Siksika people," added Clark. "It's really important to recognize we need to have understanding before we can talk about reconciliation."
Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park was also the first Indigenous Museum to be accredited by the Alberta Museums Association, receiving the distinguishment in 2022.