According to Blackfoot legend, one of the first people to live in this area was Napi (The Great Spirit), a warrior of great courage. Napi was strolling through what is now Waterton National Park in southwest Alberta. Along the way, he loaned his coat to a large rock, but later sent a coyote to retrieve it. When the rock refused to hand over the garment, Napi went back and seized it.
Enraged, the Rock chased Napi across the prairie. Fearing for his life, Napi sought the aid of his animal friends. Flocks of birds descended, chipping away at the rock, until finally a nighthawk struck it and it fell dead where it is today. For generations, native tribesman approached Big Rock respectfully and deposited gifts for the Great Spirit at its base.
Today, these boulders are one of the interesting landscape features of Alberta. |