Indigenous Peoples and Treaties
Taber is located on the traditional territory of the Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy), Stoney-Nakoda and Tsuut’ina. It is covered by Treaty 7, signed in 1877. Today, Kainai Nation’s primary reserve, Blood 148, is located just west of Lethbridge. (See also Reserves in Alberta.)
Taber was settled by Mormons in the first decade of the 20th century. The name is said to come from the first part of the word “tabernacle.” However, the first post office (1904) was called “Tabor,” presumably after Mount Tabor, Palestine.
At first, Taber's economy depended on beef cattle and wheat. However, with the development of irrigation, the cultivation of sugar beets became important. A sugar beet processing plant opened in 1950 and continues to operate today. Taber is also well known for its “Taber Corn.” Oil and natural gas developments are prevalent in the area and the town has become a service centre for this industry.