Saamis Tepee

Originally constructed for the Calgary 1988 Winter Olympics, the Saamis Tepee is a tribute to Canada’s native heritage. After being moved to Medicine Hat, erection and assembly of the major structural elements of the Saamis Tepee began October 20th, 1991, and was completed in less than one week.

Built entirely of steel with a concrete foundation, the tepee is ringed with 10 large circular story-boards depicting aspects of native culture and history.  The Saamis Tepee has a foundation weight of 800 metric tons, and the dead load of the structure is 200 metric tons. The main masts of the Tepee measure 215 feet (equivalent to a 20 story building!) and the diameter of the Tepee is 160 feet. There are 960 bolts holding the Tepee together.

Below the Saamis Tepee in scenic Seven Persons coulee, lays one of the Northern Plains archaeological sites - the Saamis Archaeological Site. This self-guided walking tour will show you one of the foremost important archaeological sites of the Northern Plains. The area was once a buffalo camp and meat processing site. Experts believe over 83 million artifacts are buried at the site.

The Saamis Tepee is located on the Trans-Canada Highway next to Tourism Medicine Hat.

For general enquiries related to the Saamis Tepee, please contact our Archivist at phipyp@medicinehat.ca.