Torch weaves through Blackfoot country

With a blustery west wind blowing down the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the Olympic torch made its way into the heart of Blackfoot country Monday morning, to the spot where Blackfoot warriors would run buffalo off a cliff to the valley below.The historic Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump south of Calgary was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been used continuously by aboriginal peoples of the plains for more than 5,500 years.After running the buffalo off the jump the hunters would carve up the carcasses in the camp below.It is the history of the "buffalo runners" that was the focus of the flame's journey to Head-Smashed-In buffalo jump.Buffalo runners were the Olympic athletes of their day _ elite runners of the plains, found among different tribes such as the Blackfoot, Lakota, Assiniboine, and Cree.They existed long before horses appeared on the Plains of North America. They were the scouts who would go out to locate herds, and then to manoeuvre them to kill zones."Thank God they didn't herd me off the end of the cliff," chuckled 1988 Olympian Wendy Lumby, originally from the Swan Lake Band in Manitoba but who now lives in Calgary."I'm not cold. I had the flame keeping me warm. My heart's been pounding non-stop ever since I woke up and to be honest I didn't think I'd be lasting the two hours before I did my run. It was fantastic. What an experience," she added.Lumby, who competed in alpine skiing at the Calgary Olympics, said this is a unique experience."I think what I'll remember most is just the adrenalin rush that you have constantly from the second you wake up and the excitement of knowing this flame is going to go light the cauldron at the Olympics."Lumby handed off her torch to 17-year-old Michael Strikes With a Gun _ a modern-day member of the Buffalo Runners Society, which holds runs at ceremonial events and for charities across North America."I just found out yesterday that I was going to be in this torch bearer relay thing but when I found out I was pretty excited _ speechless _ the first thought that came to my mind was 'I'm going to do this for all the young aboriginal people and all the young native people on reserves,'" said Strikes With A Gun, who was still holding a ceremonial eagle feather.As the Olympic torch was brought into the interpretive centre, Blackfoot Elder Leo Pard gave a special blessing for the flame and the 2010 Olympic Games to ensure their success.