Ehagay Nakoda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ehagay Nakoda |
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Ehagay Nakoda from the Bow River, 18 June 2011
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,685 m (8,809 ft) |
| Prominence | 396 m (1,299 ft) |
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 Ehagay Nakoda
Location in Alberta
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| Parent range | Canadian Rockies |
| Topo map | NTS 82O/03 |
Ehagay Nakoda is a large mountain group located right next to the town of Canmore in Alberta, Canada. It's part of the amazing Canadian Rockies. This mountain has several peaks, including Mount Lawrence Grassi (which is the tallest) and Ha Ling Peak. Other peaks are called Ship's Prow and Miner's Peak. Ehagay Nakoda is separated from Mount Rundle by Whiteman's Gap and from The Three Sisters by Three Sisters Pass.
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What's in a Name? The Story of Ehagay Nakoda
Ehagay Nakoda used to be called Mount Lawrence Grassi. But in 1998, its name was changed. The new name, Ehagay Nakoda, comes from the Stoney Nakoda people. It means "The Last Nakoda" or "The last human being."
This name comes from a traditional Stoney Nakoda story. It tells of a person who was turned into a mountain by Iktomni, a special character known as the Trickster. This transformation meant the person would stay on Earth long after all other humans were gone.
The story was shared by a local Stoney Nakoda Elder, Peter Lazarus Wesley. He suggested it for another peak, but the decision was made to rename the whole mountain group. To honor Lawrence Grassi, the tallest peak was then named Mount Lawrence Grassi.
Meet the Peaks of Ehagay Nakoda
Ehagay Nakoda has several interesting peaks, each with its own story.
Mount Lawrence Grassi: A Climber's Legacy
This peak is named after Lawrence Grassi (1890–1980). He was an Italian miner who moved to Canada in 1912. After working on the railway and in coal mines, Grassi became a famous climbing guide. He also built many trails in the area, including the popular ones to Grassi Lakes, which are also named after him.
Ha Ling Peak: The $50 Bet
Ha Ling Peak was officially called Chinaman's Peak until 1997. The name was changed in 1998 to honor Ha Ling. He was a Chinese cook working in a mining camp. Ha Ling was the first person known to have climbed this peak.
The story goes that he bet his coworkers $50 he could climb the mountain and be back in less than ten hours. He returned in just five and a half hours! When people doubted him, he led them back up. He showed them a small flag he had planted. Then, he left an even bigger flag that could be seen from Canmore. Ha Ling Peak is the peak furthest north on Ehagay Nakoda.
Ship's Prow: A Mountain Shaped Like a Boat
Ship's Prow is the southern peak of Ehagay Nakoda. It got its name because it looks like the front, or "prow," of a ship. You can see this unique shape clearly from the nearby town of Canmore.
Miner's Peak: Honoring the Past
Miner's Peak is the first peak southeast of Ha Ling Peak. It was named to honor the mining community. Many people used to work in the coal mines located below this mountain.
The Legend of Ehagay Nakoda: The Last Human
The immortal Iktomni (the Trickster or the Old Man) possesses special powers. He was the first Nakoda (human) to live on the Earth and, in fact, has assisted the Creator with its origin. After the formation of the earth, additional Nakoda (humans) were created to live on this planet. Since time immemorial, their traditional homelands included the eastern slopes of what are now known as the Canadian Rockies.
At one point in time, word circulated that Iktomni was granting wishes to the Nakoda. Two Nakoda visited Iktomni and respectfully asked him to give them one wish each. Iktomni replied, "I will grant you any wish you desire, but you must understand that once your wish is fulfilled, you cannot change it." Both agreed.
The first Nakoda made a wish to be very beautiful. Iktomni then commanded, "Do you see that pond of water? Turn to it and jump in it." The Nakoda jumped into the pond and immediately was transformed into a beautiful swan.
Astonished, the second Nakoda then made a wish, saying, "My wish is nothing like that. I wish to remain on this Earth for as long as it exists." Iktomni responded, "You shall remain on this earth long after all human beings cease to inhabit it. You will be EHAGAY NAKODA: The Last Nakoda.
Iktomni then commanded the Nakoda to sit on the ground. The Nakoda did as instructed and immediately was transformed into a colossal rock configuration: a mountain. That particular mountain — which was originally the Nakoda — still dominates the landscape to this day. "It shall remain on this earth long after all human beings cease to inhabit it."
That mountain is "Ehagay Nakoda: The Last Nakoda."
This story was told by Stoney Nakoda Elder Peter Lazarus Wesley.
