Near Morley in Municipal District of Bighorn No. 8, Alberta — Canada’s Prairie Region (North America)

Caretaker's Cabin

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 2, 2022

1. Caretaker's Cabin Marker

Inscription.
Chief Crowchild of the Tsuu T'ina people donated this cabin to be used by a caretaker for the church.

The cabin was originally an Indian Agent's cabin on the Tsuu T'ina (Sarcee) Reserve west of Calgary. Workers dismantled it to be transported and reassembled here in 1957. While it was intended to provide a residence for a prominent Stoney elder, Walking Buffalo, he preferred his tipi which he erected beside the cabin.

More recently it has been used as a gathering spot by visitors attending services and ceremonies at the church.

Lots of people hardly even feel real soil under their feet, see plants grow except in flower pots, or get far enough beyond the street lights to catch the enchantment of a night sky studded with stars.
(Walking Buffalo, 1958)

Erected by McDougall Stoney Mission Society; and the Calgary Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Education • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1957.

Location. 51° 11.204′ N, 114° 49.486′ W. Marker is near Morley, Alberta, in Municipal District of Bighorn No. 8. Marker can be reached from Bow Valley Trail (Provincial Highway 1A) 1.6 kilometers east

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of Morley Road (Provincial Highway 133X), on the right when traveling east. Marker is located at the McDougall Stoney Mission Historical Site, just south of the McDougall Memorial United Church and directly in front of the Caretaker's Cabin. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Morley AB T0L 1N0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Restoring the Church (here, next to this marker); Building A Church (here, next to this marker); Establishing Morleyville (within shouting distance of this marker); The Stoney People (within shouting distance of this marker); The Methodist Missionaries (within shouting distance of this marker); Rev. George MacDougall (within shouting distance of this marker); Morleyville Historic Mission (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); McDougall Memorial (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Morley.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . Walking Buffalo (born Tatanga Mani, aka George McLean).

Stoney-Nakoda leader, statesman and philosopher. Walking Buffalo was present at the signing of Treaty 7 (1877) and later served as a respected leader in Bearspaw First Nation until his death. Walking Buffalo preached world peace and, in 1959, journeyed around the globe to spread this word.
In 1881, Reverend John
Glenbow Archives NA-3164-364

2. Marker detail: George McLean
(Walking Buffalo)
George McLean, aka Walking Buffalo (Tatanga Mani), was born in 1871 and began his education at the Morleyville mission school.
MacLean (sometimes spelled McLean) — a Methodist missionary in Morley — adopted a young Walking Buffalo, presumably after the death of his grandmothers, and gave him the name George McLean. Walking Buffalo attended school at the McDougall Orphanage and then at schools in Red Deer and Winnipeg.
Walking Buffalo remained involved in the United Church and, in 1952, became the official caretaker of the church building in Morley. Despite his dedication to the church, Walking Buffalo was critical of Christian missionaries who misunderstood Indigenous spirituality and tried to eradicate traditional beliefs and practices.

(Submitted on January 21, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: Walking Buffalo’s tipi beside the church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Boyd Waddell Photography, Calgary

3. Marker detail: Walking Buffalo’s tipi beside the church

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 2, 2022

4. Caretaker's Cabin Marker

(looking east from the Caretaker's Cabin)

Caretaker's Cabin (<i>southeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 2, 2022

5. Caretaker's Cabin (southeast elevation)

From marker: While there is no caretaker today, this cabin is often used after church services for preparing food and refreshments.

Caretaker's Cabin (<i>northeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 2, 2022

6. Caretaker's Cabin (northeast elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 82 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 21, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.