Montana Land Patents – Blackfeet Tribe
A record of land patent information related to the Blackfeet Tribe in Montana State.
Blackfeet
Treaty of October 19, 1865 – Blackfeet
On October 19, 1865, a treaty was signed at Fort Sully between United States representatives and the Blackfeet band of Dakota or Sioux Indians. The treaty affirmed the Blackfeet’s acceptance of U.S. jurisdiction and commitment to peace, renouncing hostilities against both U.S. citizens and other tribes. It established a framework for resolving disputes and included a provision for annual payments in exchange for the Blackfeet withdrawing from established overland routes. This agreement aimed to maintain peace and stability in the region, reflecting a significant moment in U.S.-Native relations.
Treaty of April 29, 1868
The Treaty of April 29, 1868, marked a pivotal peace agreement between the U.S. government and various Sioux tribes. It established a promise of lasting peace, delineated a designated reservation for the Sioux, and outlined support for agricultural development and education. The treaty also mandated that both parties would ensure accountability for wrongdoing, stipulated provisions for land selection and ownership, and sought to protect Sioux rights to hunt and oppose railroads. Ultimately, the treaty sought to formalize a cooperative relationship and mitigate conflict.
Blackfeet Reservation
The report by Special Agent Horatio L. Seward in January 1891 outlines the conditions and demographics of the Blackfeet Reservation. Covering approximately 1,760,000 acres, the reservation houses the Blackfoot, Blood, and Piegan tribes. The population in 1890 was recorded at 1,811, primarily Piegan. The agency features educational facilities and provisions, with a focus on transitioning the younger generation into citizenship. Challenges include addressing issues related to alcohol abuse among the community. The report emphasizes the importance of maintaining grazing lands for sustainable cattle raising.
Oliver Racine, Blackfeet Tribe
Oliver Racine, a 42-year-old member of the Blackfeet Tribe, lives on an allotment near Old Agency with seven children. He farms twenty acres of wheat and eight acres of oats, while also managing a small herd of livestock. Recently divorced, he cooperates with one son in farming and aspires to start a sheep business. A skilled mechanist and former schoolboy of the author, Oliver maintains a tidy home and participates actively in community repair work. His family lineage traces back to both Blackfeet and French ancestry.
Siksika Indians
The Siksika, or Blackfeet Indians, derive their name from a native term meaning “black feet,” likely referring to the dye of their moccasins. They belong to the Algonquian language family and primarily inhabit territories from the North Saskatchewan River in Canada to Montana. Historically, the Siksika experienced conflicts with neighboring tribes and were impacted by smallpox. They maintained trade relations with the Hudson’s Bay Company while opposing American settlers. Today, they adapt to modern life, with a population that has fluctuated over the years.
Kainah Tribe
The Kainah Tribe, also known as the Kainah First Nation or Blood Indians, is a division of the Siksika or Blackfeet, residing in Alberta, Canada. Historically, they have numerous subtribes and once numbered around 2,400 individuals in 1858, with 300 tipis. By 1904, the population on their reservation was 1,196, predominantly pagan. The tribe is referred to by various alternate names in both English and other languages, denoting their rich cultural heritage and history.
Siksika Tribe
The Siksika, a prominent tribe of the Siksika Confederacy, reside on a reservation in Alberta, Canada. In 1905, they were known as the Running Rabbit and Yellow Horse bands and included several subtribes. Their culture, akin to other Plains tribes, involved buffalo hunting and significant social structures, including various dances and secret societies. Historically, they expanded their territory following the acquisition of horses and firearms, though they faced significant population declines due to disease and resource depletion. In 1909, their total population was reported at 4,635.
Atsina Tribe
The Atsina Indians, a subset of the Arapaho, are historically linked to the Blackfeet but currently reside with the Assiniboin in Montana. In 1904, their population was recorded at 535, with a declining trend. They refer to themselves as Aä´ninĕna, meaning “white clay people,” while other Arapaho call them Hitúnĕna, translating to “beggars.” The Atsina have played a minor role in history and are often mistaken for the Hidatsa, or Gros Ventres, of the Missouri River region.
Blackfeet Tribe in War
The Blackfeet were originally a peaceful tribe, engaging in limited conflicts until the introduction of horses transformed their way of life. With horses enhancing their capacity to acquire and transport goods, raiding neighboring tribes for horses became a predominant aspect of Blackfoot warfare. This led to about seventy-five years of systematic horse theft expeditions, alongside the occasional battles resulting in casualties. The emergence of horse culture fostered a mindset valuing property and bravery, particularly through the act of “counting coup,” which highlighted individual valor in combat.
Blackfeet Religion
The Blackfeet religion embodies a rich tapestry of beliefs centered around their chief deity, Napi (Old Man), who is intricately linked to concepts of light and creation. Depicted with contrasting traits—wisdom and folly—Old Man is viewed as a real figure in their cosmology. While the Sun has become the primary god, Napi remains revered. Daily prayers and significant rituals, such as the Medicine Lodge, illustrate their spiritual practices, emphasizing life, nature, and communal welfare. Their beliefs reflect a deep connection to the land and the animals that sustain them.
Blackfeet Tribe, Social Organization
The Blackfeet Tribe’s social organization is structured into three main tribes, united by blood relations yet distinct in identity, historically preventing conflicts among themselves. They are subdivided into gentes, representing kinship primarily through male lineage. Marital customs emphasize family arrangements over romantic choice, with the first wife granted special status. While polygamy was common, marriage to “sits-beside-him” wives carried significant cultural weight, integrating specific rites and responsibilities. Control over women was strict, yet many were respected roles in society, such as doctors.
Blackfeet Customs
The Blackfeet people of the Great Plains were lively and jovial, reveling in humor, community feasts, and various forms of entertainment such as games and storytelling. Their daily life involved close-knit family interactions and spirited participation in activities, while their connection to nature provided sustenance and materials for living. Ceremonies and customs guided their beliefs and social structure, from child-rearing to mourning rituals. The recent loss of the buffalo drastically altered their way of life, yet memories of joyful traditions remain pivotal to their identity.
Blackfeet Medicine Pipes and Healing
Among the Blackfeet, the “medicine man,” or Ni-namp-skan, plays a vital role as a spiritual healer, believed to be favored by the Sun. Traditionally, medicine pipes, intricately adorned and considered sacred, were used in various ceremonies for blessings and healing. Significant rituals included prayers for health and bounty, with the smoke of the pipe serving as a conduit to the spiritual realm. As buffalo populations dwindled, many of these ancient customs, including healing practices and ceremonies, began to fade, reflecting shifts in cultural traditions and beliefs.
Blackfoot Tribe, Past and Present
Fifty years ago, the Blackfoot Tribe, comprising the Piikuni, Blackfeet, and Bloods, commanded vast territories dominated by buffalo herds. Their history reflects a migration from the north, driven south by conflicts, until they thrived on the plains with abundant resources. However, the disappearance of buffalo and the encroachment of white settlers have severely diminished their numbers and way of life. Today, a few remain, navigating the shift from their traditional lifestyle to an uncertain agricultural existence, embodying the poignant intersection of their storied past and a challenging present.
Blackfeet Tribe—How they Lived
The Blackfeet Tribe’s clothing was primarily crafted from animal skins, with women wearing dresses and leggings made from cow and deer hides, while men donned shirts and breech-clouts. Their lodges, constructed from tanned cow hides and supported by poles, provided warmth and comfort. The tribe’s diet included a variety of berries and roots, along with the meat of buffalo and other game, prepared through boiling or roasting. Their tools and vessels were ingeniously made from available natural materials, demonstrating their resourcefulness and connection to the land.
Blackfeet Hunting Customs
The Blackfoot territory was rich in diverse game, including buffalo, antelope, elk, and mountain sheep, thriving in a landscape of prairies, breaks, and timbered valleys. Buffalo were fundamental to their lifestyle, offering food, clothing, and tools, with every part of the animal utilized. Early hunting relied on stone-tipped arrows and ingenious trapping methods, such as the piskun, which drove buffalo over cliffs for harvest. Their deep understanding of animal behavior and effective hunting strategies ensured a sustainable subsistence, vital for the tribe’s survival and prosperity.
Blackfeet Indian Research
This page offers extensive resources for researching Blackfeet ancestry, including links to databases, historical accounts, and genealogy assistance. The term “Siksika,” which refers to the Blackfeet, derives from the word for “black” and may connect to the discoloration of their moccasins. The Blackfeet Nation consists of three subtribes: Siksika, Kainah, and Piegan, along with allied tribes such as the Atsina and Sarsi. The page also features information on culture, history, military participation, and significant biographies.
Blackfeet Tribe
The Blackfeet, also known as the Siksika Tribe, are an Algonquian confederacy of the northern plains, comprising three subtribes: the Siksika, Kainah (Bloods), and Piegan. Historically nomadic buffalo hunters, they occupied vast territories across Canada and Montana. Their culture involved complex social structures and rituals, with a strong emphasis on warfare and alliances with neighboring tribes. Despite suffering population declines due to disease and starvation, their resilience is noted as they now reside on reservations in both Canada and the U.S.
Blackfeet of Today
Historically, the Blackfeet thrived as a robust community, facing decline with European contact, marked by disease and alcohol. The devastating smallpox epidemics in the mid-19th century significantly reduced their population. The 1883-84 winter led to severe starvation after the buffalo’s extermination, further exacerbating their plight. However, with assistance from compassionate agents like Major George Steell, the Blackfeet began transitioning to self-sufficiency through cattle ranching. Today, they exemplify resilience, embracing a work ethic and seeking independence, driven by a new sense of identity and purpose.