The Blackfoot (Niitsitapi) People

Who Are the Blackfoot?

The Blackfoot Confederacy, or Niitsitapi ("the Real People"), comprises four distinct nations: the Siksika (Blackfoot), Kainai (Blood), Piikani (Peigan), and Amskapi Piikani (Blackfeet). These Algonquian-speaking peoples dominated the northwestern Great Plains of Montana and Alberta for centuries, developing one of North America's most powerful mounted buffalo-hunting cultures. After acquiring horses in the early 1700s, the Blackfoot became formidable warriors and traders, controlling vast territories and maintaining fierce independence well into the 19th century.

Buffalo Hunting Culture

The Blackfoot developed one of North America's most sophisticated buffalo hunting cultures. Before horses, they used buffalo jumps (piskans)—cliffs where they drove herds to their deaths. The famous Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump in Alberta was used for nearly 6,000 years. After acquiring horses around 1730, hunting efficiency increased dramatically, allowing the Blackfoot to follow buffalo herds year-round and accumulate greater wealth.

Every part of the buffalo was utilized: meat for food, hides for tipis and clothing, bones for tools, sinew for thread and bow strings, horns for cups and spoons, and even dried dung for fuel. This complete utilization reflected their spiritual belief in showing respect to the buffalo's sacrifice.

Social Organization & Bundle Societies

Blackfoot society was organized around bands led by respected chiefs, with political structure based on consensus rather than coercion. They developed complex bundle societies—sacred medicine bundles containing spiritual objects passed down through generations. The most important was the Beaver Bundle, said to have been given to the Blackfoot by supernatural beings.

The Sun Dance (Okan) was their most sacred ceremony, held annually in summer when bands gathered. Warriors belonged to age-graded military societies like the All-Brave Dogs, Mosquitos, and Bulls, each with distinct regalia and responsibilities.

Warriors & Horse Culture

After acquiring horses, the Blackfoot became feared warriors across the northern Plains. They conducted raids for horses, which brought prestige and wealth. Young men gained honor through acts of bravery: touching an enemy (counting coup), stealing horses, or taking weapons. The Blackfoot developed sophisticated horse-breeding programs and became wealthy traders, controlling key routes between Plains tribes and fur traders.

Artistic Traditions

Blackfoot artistic expression flourished in winter counts (pictographic calendars painted on buffalo hide), intricate beadwork, quillwork, and painted tipis. Each tipi design was spiritually significant, owned by specific families and transferred through elaborate ceremonies. They created beautiful geometric designs on clothing, parfleches (rawhide containers), and ceremonial regalia.

Modern Blackfoot

Today, the Blackfoot maintain strong cultural identity across four reserves/reservations in Alberta and Montana. The Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park in Alberta protects significant archaeological sites. Language revitalization programs work to preserve Blackfoot, taught in tribal schools and universities. Annual celebrations like North American Indian Days showcase traditional dancing, rodeo, and cultural practices. The Blackfoot continue their role as environmental stewards, managing buffalo herds and protecting sacred sites.