In 1988, the city of Calgary commissioned the construction of a 65m-tall tepee for the Winter Olympics. The tepee, made of steel, still stands tall today. But if you want to a get look at this massive marvel, or even walk inside, you’ll need to travel further south than Calgary.
The Saamis Tepee is now located permanently in Medicine Hat, 3-hours southeast of Calgary. The tepee was purchased and gifted to the city by a local and has received a few enhancements over the years.
It is now a popular roadside stop for anyone travelling the Trans Canada Highway. Plus, the tepee is easy to see or access from the Highway, has picnic facilities, and many other reasons to get a closer look.
Visiting the Saamis Tepee & More Indigenous History
The Saamis Tepee, also touted as the World’s Largest Tepee, is in the centre of the city and on the side of Highway 1. And this is one of those sculptures you must appreciate from afar and up close. When you get a good panoramic view of the area, you may be fooled into thinking it is smaller than it really is, and you can appreciate the entire work of art. Up close, the tepee’s enormous size is a bit more obvious. At this closer view, you’ll get to appreciate all the smaller pieces within the tepee.
The Saamis Tepee is over 48m wide and over 65m tall! The tepee comes to life each night with bright lights illuminating each mast. There are ten masts, each of which has its own painting depicting different parts of southern Alberta’s Indigenous culture. The storyboards depict pieces of culture and history like “How Medicine Got its Name,” the “Plains Cree Way of Life,” or “Arrival of the European,” to name but a few:
- The Legend: How Medicine Hat Got its Name” by Joseph Hind Bull:
- Sorrow envelops Eagle Birth and his bride amid human sacrifice; colors and elements in the artwork symbolize different worlds and fundamental truths.
- “The Blackfoot Confederacy” by Henry Standingalone:
- Illustrating Blackfoot people’s reverence for the Sun and buffalo, various symbols portray cultural stories and beliefs central to their historical way of living.
- “Plains Cree Way of Life” by Nona Foster:
- A depiction of a late fall/early winter campsite showcasing traditional activities, attire, and the vital role of fauna and flora in Cree culture.
- “Plains Cree Ceremonies” by Robert Anderson:
- The artwork encapsulates Cree ceremonies, highlighting the pivotal roles of the sweet lodge and peace pipe; emphasizing permanence and strength through symbolic Cree engravings.
- “The Plains Indians” by Manybears:
- Represents the symbiotic relationship between the Plains Indians and nature, emphasizing the central roles of the buffalo and the eagle in their culture.
- “Arrival of the Europeans” by Marilyn Fraser-King:
- Demonstrates the initial open-armed reception of Europeans by the native people and the unforeseen monumental impact it had on their traditional way of life.
- “Treaty #7” by Henry Standingalone:
- Depicting the historical moment of Treaty #7 signing with a representation of peace and promises symbolized through a pipe ceremony and significant figures.
- “The Metis of the Plains” by Nona Foster:
- Portrays the Metis’ origin from the union of two cultures, highlighting symbolic elements like the Metis sash and the impacts of the scrip system.
- “First Peoples Today” by Marilyn Fraser-King:
- Celebrates the endurance of native culture through generational transmission of songs, stories, and respect for natural phenomena, emphasizing a bridge between past and present.
- “Circle of Unity – Multiculturalism” by Nona Foster:
- Utilizes storm imagery and a peace pipe to convey the wisdom of unity and multicultural harmony through interlinked symbols representing different races and directions.
The lighting of the Saamis Tepee coincides with various holidays or awareness campaigns. In September, for example, the Tepee is lit with red and white for the Terry Fox Run, while the tepee is lit up orange for National Truth & Reconciliation Day
To learn even more about Indigenous heritage and culture in the area, embark on a self-guided mural tour to uncover 14 different pieces. During the summer, the city of Medicine Hat operates Sunshine Trolley tours, with a stop at the Saamis Tepee.
More Medicine Hat Attractions to Check Out
- The Medalta Historic Clay District is a working museum and community arts hub. Pay admission and walk the real factory floors before browsing the art gallery, filled with local creations.
- The Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre is a second must-visit museum in Medicine Hat. The Centre hosts archives and exhibits, and a variety of experiences.
- There are riverfront parks around Medicine Hat, each steeped in Indigenous history. Police Point Park, for example, contains plants and berries significant to First Nations people. Today, it is a year-round park with cross-country ski trails, river access, picnic areas, and paved trails.
- Kin Coulee Park is directly across Highway 1 from the Saamis Tepee. There are riverside trails, places for picnics, and event space.
- Echo Dale Regional Park, on the west side of Medicine Hat and the river valley, is a popular summer spot. There is a beach, trails, historic buildings, and a boat launch. In the winter, it is a great place for birding and quiet walks.
Local Eats in Medicine Hat:
The local restaurants and cafes you choose to stop at will depend upon what you’re in the mood for, or what meal you need. Below are some ideas for every meal of the day, as well as spots for drinks or dessert.
- Breakfast and brunch: Minnie’s Eats & Sweets (Railway St.), Zucchini Blossom Market & Café (3 St. NE), MT Nest Cafe & Market (4 St. SW)
- Lunch and dinner: Rustic Kitchen and Bar (7 St. SW), Papi’s Country Kitchen (Highway 1), Argo’s Family Restaurant (Dunmore Rd. SE), Mauro’s On Riverside (3 St. SE)
- Drinks: view all of Medicine Hat’s local brewers and distiller here.
- Dessert: McBride’s Bakery, Dee’s Baked Goods, Country Crumbs Bakery & Cafe
Plan your trip – Saamis Tepee
What: The Saamis Tepee is an all-metal sculpture in Medicine Hat, and on the Trans Canada Highway. The tepee is made of 10 steel masts, each at 65m tall. These masts are spread out to create the tepee’s 48m interior diameter, or base. The tepee was constructed in 1988 in Calgary for the city’s winter Olympics. In 1991, a local philanthropist, Amerigo “Rick” Nella Filanti, purchased the tepee as a gift to the city of Medicine Hat. The Saamis tepee is now decorated with 10 hand-painted storyboards with one displayed on each mast.
The tepee was named for the nearby Saamis Archeological Site and Seven Persons Coulee.
Location and how to get there: 32 Eagle Birth Rd SW, Medicine Hat
Use Highway 1 to access Southridge Dr. SE, then west on Ghering Rd. SW
Best time to go: year-round
How much: free
For more information:
Indigenous Tourism in Medicine Hat