REVIEWS

Unquestionably, the most significant spiritual object in Western Canadian aboriginal history was, and still is, “the Manitou Stone”, also known as the Iron Creek Meteorite.The first white explorer to be made aware of the object was Alexander Henry the Younger in 1810 (although no white man actually saw the “stone” until1860) as he travelled through the Battle River watershed near present-day Hardisty, an hour East of LaPrairieaire.My first exposure to the “Stone” began in my childhood years when my parents,whose passion for local history took our family on many excursions,including the Hardisty area. My second experience was on a bus tour lead by Heinz Pyszczck, now retired, but then Parkland Archaeologist with the Archaeological Survey of Alberta.The tour, which included Aboriginal Elders,began with a visit to a LaPrairieaire site, included a stop at the “Viking Ribstones”, and concluded in the Iron Creek area NW of Hardisty where the“Stone” is known to have rested.

 

Most recently, I was fortunate to have travelled extensively with Ken Favrholdt while he conducted research of all available literary sources, for his paper “The Iron Stone” written for“Alberta’s History”. New for 2020, LP Ecotours offers a two day tour tracing the origin and circuitous travels of this sacred object.

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DAY ONE: MANITOU STONE TO MÉTIS CROSSING

Day one takes us to the area where the“stone” came to rest following its fall from the heavens, followed by a visit to the equally important “Viking Ribstones".

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Following a break for traditional Ukrainian lunch at Leonel’s Place in Vegreville, we move on to the National Historic Site at Victoria Crossing on the North Saskatchewan near Smokey Lake where the “Iron Stone” made its next stop in 1866.

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OVERNIGHT: COMFORT CAMPING AT MÉTIS CROSSING

Métis Crossing offers us 10 comfort camping accommodations. These include trappers tents with beds, a wood heater, and view of the river. Guests are asked to bring their own sleeping bags.The newly opened "Gathering Centre" offers a cafe with everything from a quick lunch to a truly uniquely delightful dinner experience. Executive Chef Bill Alexander has created a Métis culinary experience to wow all of your senses, with a philosophy of land to table eating.

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DAY TWO: ROYAL ALBERTA MUSEUM TO LA PRAIRIEAIRE

The following morning we make a 1.5 hour trip down Victoria Trail to Edmonton, to the RAM (Royal Alberta Museum) where the repatriated “Iron Stone” now resides, for a curated visit to the special pavilion where it is on display.The pavilion in which the “stone” is exhibited is in a free admission area,but a full tour of the museum is optional.

Day 2 concludes with a number of fine dining possibilities in the Edmonton area, or returning to LaPrairieaire and your overnight stay in the refurbished1976 Airstream or restored“Bunkhouse”.

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