| Kananaskis Valley of Adventure Brochure Graphic Design, Production, Research and Writing by Kris Nielson Published by Kananaskis Valley of Adventure, Copyright © 2000 Print run: 60,000 Q, 4/4 colour, 16" x 18" accordian fold to 4"x9" Kananaskis: “Meeting of the Waters” Written and researched by Kris Nielson The Kananaskis Valley was originally used by First Nations people thousands of years before its early exploration by the white man. It served as a hunting ground for bison, elk and deer, a source for medicinal plants, and a shelter from the harsh storms of the open prairie. Archeological studies have shown evidence of early inhabitants in the Valley, especially in the Wasootch Creek area where it is believed that a large winter camp once stood. The first known explorer in the valley was James Sinclair, a Native born Red River Settler who led a small group of pioneers in search of a new route through the Canadian Rockies. In 1854, Sinclair secured a Native Cree Chief named Mackipictoon as a guide and set off from an encampment at the confluence of the Bow and Kananaskis Rivers. After an extremely difficult journey, Sinclair’s documentation of the trip suggests that he found the route to be too problematical to be used as a transportation corridor. The name Kananaskis is also rich with history. In 1857, John Palliser was commissioned by the British and Canadian governments to lead an expedition to explore and map the west for future settlement. He identified the area, by taking the name of a local Indian who had overcome some remarkable circumstances. In 1858, Palliser had decided to name the route across the continental divide which he intended to cross as the Kananaskis Pass “...after the name of an Indian, of whom there is a legend, giving an account of his most wonderful recovery from the blow of an axe, which stunned but failed to kill him.” Palliser also decided to name the swift flowing creek, the Kananaskis River. During his journey up the valley, Palliser subsequently named two lakes and another pass Kananaskis. With the abundance of lakes and rivers in the area, the most frequently used translation for Kananaskis is “meeting of the waters”. In the years to follow, Kananaskis Country became known for its abundance of rich natural resources. Some of the first settlers to the valley, like George Pocaterra, set up trap lines for small fur bearing animals. By the early 1880s, logging emerged as a major industry and sites like Eau Claire and Evan-Thomas Creek became camps for logging operations. Logs were sent down the river to Calgary where mills were set up to process the lumber. Mining was also seen as a source of economic wealth. Areas like Ribbon Creek were surveyed and eventually claims were made for coal mines. Hydro projects were undertaken at the Lakes in 1932 and four years later the first road up the valley was built. In 1939, during the Second World War, a former relief camp near present day Barrier Lake was turned into an internment camp for German and Italian prisoners-of-war. This later became the University of Calgary’s Research Station and is still in operation today. When the Alberta government officially declared Kananaskis as a provincial park in 1978, improvements in the area for recreational and tourism soon followed and eventually led to the construction and development of the existing facilities. Ski hills, hiking trails, waterfalls, climbing areas and many of the sites that are visited each year by adventure seekers and tourists from all over the world are rich in history. Many of these components have had a profound impact in the shaping of this natural phenomenon. Explore our valley for yourself and experience the wonder that is Kananaskis. |