Fort Whoop-Up: A New Take on an Old Subject

People and historic events are not frozen in time; they can be researched and explored through new ways of thinking—Fort Whoop-Up and its legacy are no exception.

ArticleDarrin J Martens Aaká óóhkotoki (Many rocks)November 15, 2022Lethbridge, History, history, History This Week, history this week, Lethbridge history, Fort Whoop-Up, Fort, Trading, Interpretation, interpretation, Fort Hamilton, Whisky, Niitsitapi, BlackfootComment

Over the Years: How Transit Encourages Access to Lethbridge Culture

Public transit is an ever-evolving part of life within the local community, and free or inexpensive access to local culture is crucial. Much like the streetcar initiative over a century ago, an innovative transit project called cultureLINK is launching in Lethbridge this summer.

Blacksmithing at Fort Whoop-Up with William Baliko

William Baliko demonstrates how blacksmiths like William Gladstone would have made a knife at the fort in the late 1800s.

Online Presentation, VideosGraham RuttanMay 31, 2022Fort Whoop-UpFort Whoop-Up, Blacksmith, CraftComment

Exploring History Today

New opportunities to explore and engage with this region's history will be introduced as we safely and responsibly reopen our site. Each day at Fort Whoop-Up will bring new adventures designed to capture the imagination and showcase southwestern Alberta's rich and diverse history.

ArticleDarrin J Martens Aaká óóhkotoki (Many rocks)June 29, 2021Fort Whoop-UpFort Whoop-Up, Guided Tour, history, Lethbirdge, TourismComment

Wolfers

On a winter's day in 1873, Canadian Donald Graham found himself in an armed standoff with a man remembered now only as “The Bigheaded Dutchman.”

ArticleCarolyn BenMay 18, 2021Fort Whoop-UpFort Whoop-Up, Furs, Pelts, Wolf, Wolves, Trapping, Poison, Strychnine, Animals, Trade, Donald Graham, Firewater, Hugh Dempsey, Southern Alberta, FortComment

Christmas at the Fort

What would visitors at both the modern-day replica and the original Fort Whoop-Up have seen and experienced during the holiday season?

Online PresentationNatasha GrayDecember 22, 2020Fort Whoop-UpJohn Healy, Christmas, Celebration, Experience, Fort Whoop-Up, Heritage, History, Mike Mountain Horse, Joe Healy, Candle Dipping, Christmas Cracker, Lethbridge, TradeComment

New Wagon Arrives at Fort Whoop-Up

The Glenbow Museum in Calgary contacted the Galt to see if we would be interested in a replica of a bull wagon. We said “Yes.”

Constructing the Fort

William Gladstone (“Old Glad”) was the head carpenter and blacksmith at Fort Whoop-Up. He was a former carpenter and boat builder for the Hudson’s Bay Company, and he was hired in Fort Benton in the early summer of 1870 for the two-year project of building the bigger, more permanent Fort Whoop-Up.

Article, Indigenous HistoryGalt Museum & ArchivesSeptember 15, 2020Fort Whoop-UpFort 150, Gladstone, Cottonwood, Trading, Blackfoot, Fort Benton, Whoop-Up, Fort Whoop-Up, Flag, Northwest Mounted Police, Cannon Comment

Ákáí’nissko (Many Deaths Place)

Niitsitapi used the area at the junction of the St. Mary and Belly, or Oldman, Rivers as a winter camp. The site was located along part of a traditional migration route known as the Old North Trail. It was known as Ákáí’nissko (Many Deaths Place).

Article, Indigenous HistoryGalt Museum & ArchivesSeptember 8, 2020Fort Whoop-UpSmalpox, Epidemic, Tepee, Stone Circles, Fort Whoop-Up, Whoop-Up TrailComment

Potai’na (Flying Chief), or Joe Healy

Potai’na (Flying Chief), also known as Joseph Healy, was a prominent member of the Kainai Nation and son of Akai-nuspi (Many Braids) and Pi’aki (the Dancer).

Article, Indigenous HistoryMuseum EducatorJune 17, 2020Galt Museum & ArchivesJoe Healy, Potai’na, Akai-nuspi, Pi’aki, Toopikiini, Blackfoot, Cree, Montana, Fort Whoop-Up, Fort Benton Comment