Tipi Pole Harvest & Processing Workshop: Day 2

Tipi Pole Harvest & Processing

The Confluence, in partnership with the Smith family, invites the public to join us for this two-day event, harvesting, barbequing, and learning the full process of trimming, peeling, curing & sanding a set of tipi poles. With one day of land-based teachings near Castle Falls in southern Alberta, and the second day hosted at The Confluence, guests can join at any point throughout the harvest. 

Registration for both days is encouraged but not required.

Day 1: Harvest at Castle Falls

Date: Saturday, July 6
Time: 9 am - 5:30 pm
Location: Castle Falls, AB

Head up the mountain to begin the process of locating, cutting, trimming and hauling the poles will begin. Using modern tools, learn the traditional methodologies handed down by Elders and those before them. The day will conclude with a BBQ, a dip in the cool waters of Castle Falls and a chance to socialize while enjoying the land. Participants must provide their own transportation and food.

Register here.

Day 2: Teachings at The Confluence

Date: Sunday, July 7
Time: 10 am - 3 pm
Location: The Confluence Historic Site and Parkland

Gather at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers and learn the process of peeling, trimming, sanding and curing the tipi poles. Afterwards, participants will be given the opportunity to help raise a tipi guided by experts and enjoy a relaxing afternoon sharing stories around a fire. Participants will use sharp tools during this process at their own risk. 

The mantra for this process is "If this begins to feel like work, you're doing it wrong." This should be a fulfilling experience more than anything else, so participants are welcome to sit, eat/snack/drink and take breaks at your leisure. Questions are encouraged throughout the process.

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Becoming The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland

On May 2, 2024, Fort Calgary changed its name to The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland.

Under this new name, we are freer to expand the narrative of this place to encompass the many diverse histories of the land. Stories of the North-West Mounted Police and Fort Calgary help to define this place, but there are other important stories to be told, too. At The Confluence, storytelling is liberated and history is an open and welcoming book.