Waterton’s tallest peak has culturally significant stone formed millions of years ago

Waterton Lakes National Park lies within the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi, and there’s a mountain nearby that is revered for its stone.

It’s called Aahkoinimaiisták (AAHK-koy-nee-may-stuk), which is the Blackfoot word for Mount Blakiston. It’s sometimes anglicized as “Pipe Stone Mountain.”

Blakiston Mountain is the tallest peak in Waterton, and its black stone is used by the Niitsitapi to make ceremonial pipes. These pipes are used for treaty making, ceremonies, and social events. It’s all part of the history of this land, which lies within traditional Niitsitapi territory.

Formed millions of years ago

Aahkoinimaiisták is Waterton Lake National Park’s tallest mountain peak, and it was named by the Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot) peoples, who have lived on this land since time immemorial.

The mountain is nearly 10,000 feet high, and it’s a spectacular sight to see when travelling up the Red Rock Parkway. You can also hike and cross-country ski around it in winter using the Pipestone Loop Trail.

It’s composed of sedimentary rock that formed in shallow seas hundreds of millions of years ago. A geological event called the Laramide Orogeny squeezed and pushed the land up, forming Aahkoinimaiisták’s jagged peaks.

Rich cultural history

Since time immemorial, the Blackfoot People occupied what is now Southern Alberta and Northern Montana, and part of this vast territory includes Waterton Lakes National Park. The park was significant as it was used for ceremonial, hunting, camping, trading and healing purposes. In the Blackfoot Language, Waterton is called, “Paah-tó-mah-ksi-ki-mi,” meaning Inner Sacred Lake.

Parks Canada works with local Indigenous communities to preserve and protect the rich cultural history of Waterton Lakes, and the Blackfoot word for the mountain was shared with them by Siksikaitsitapi Knowledge Keepers.

In 2000, the Siksikaitsitapi or Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council was established to unify the respective histories of the four Blackfoot Confederacy Tribes: the Kainai, Siksika, Piikani, and Aa,skapi Pikuni. The Confederacy has created a custom Destination Blackfoot Google Map with an exclusive and comprehensive guide to their territory. You can browse the map on its website to ensure you don’t miss any of the hidden gems and must-see attractions on these traditional lands.

Where: Waterton Lakes National Park
How to get there: Drive approximately three hours south of Calgary via Highway 2, 3 and 6.

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