The Buffalo Jump

We put on leather shoes, slip into fleece jackets and chow down on hamburgers with no drama. But for thousands of years the Plains Indians coaxed their moccasins, robes and burgers to be into a thundering stampede that they then lead to the edge of a cliff. The Buffalo Jump is a beautifully illustrated book that tells of this ancient hunting method through Little Blaze, a young member of the Blackfeet tribe. He is upset that his older brother is chosen to lead the stampede, even though he is the faster runner. Little Blaze's true motivation is his longing for an adult name, which is earned after an act of bravery. I think your children will find this to be a satisfying story. And they might even read the author's historical notes about buffalo and buffalo jumps.

Ages 9-12
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If your child can't get enough of buffalo jumps, you'll have to plan a trip to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre. This is the home of one of the world's oldest, largest and best preserved buffalo jumps known to exist. In fact it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. If you are in the vicinity of Glacier National Park the centre is a few hours north, in Alberta, Canada.

Activity: Learn many ways in which buffalo were used with this Buffalo coloring page.