Piegan Topics – Access Genealogy

The Discovery Of This Continent: It’s Results To The Natives

In 1470, Christopher Columbus married Dona Felipa, daughter of a renowned navigator, and settled in Porto Santo, where they shared dreams of discovering lands to the West. Their ambitions fueled Columbus’s determination, leading to his 1492 voyage that resulted in the European discovery of the Americas. However, this event marked the beginning of devastation for native peoples, introducing warfare, disease, and colonization that would decimate their populations and cultures, ultimately transforming their rich, diverse societies into shadows of their former selves.

Treaty of October 17, 1855

On October 17, 1855, representatives of the Blackfoot, Flathead, Nez Percé, and other tribes signed a treaty with U.S. commissioners A. Cumming and Isaac I. Stevens near the Judith River in Nebraska. The treaty established perpetual peace among the tribes and with the U.S., delineating a shared hunting ground for 99 years and granting exclusive territory to the Blackfoot Nation. It outlined mutual responsibilities, the protection of Indian lands, and provisions for annual financial support and education, while promoting civility and forbidding hostilities.

Blackfeet Reservation

Piegan Chiefs and Headmen, Blackfeet Agency, Montana

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.

Houses of the Blackfoot Confederacy

"Encampment of the Piekann Indians" Karl Bodmer 1833

The Piekann Indians, part of the Blackfoot Confederacy, comprised tribes like the Siksika, Piegan, and Kainah, among others. Early European traders’ journals reveal their nomadic lifestyle, characterized by buffalo hunting and skin-covered lodges, which were easily transportable. Reports from the 18th and 19th centuries highlight their social structures, ceremonial practices, and interactions with European traders. As they migrated across the plains, the Blackfeet maintained cultural traditions while adapting to external influences, remaining notable for their fierce reputation and elaborate encampments.

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.

Piegan Tribe

The Piegan Tribe, part of the Blackfoot Confederacy, is known as the Pikuni, translating to “people with badly dressed robes.” Divided into numerous groups, their population was approximately 3,700 in 1858, declining to 2,520 by 1861. By 1906, the tribe’s numbers had further decreased, with 2,072 members in Montana and 493 in Alberta, Canada, under respective agencies.

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 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.

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 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.

Piegan Indian Bands, Gens and Clans

The Piegan tribe, part of the Siksika, includes several divisions, bands, and societies, some of which are now extinct. Notable groups include the Ekatopistaks, Emitaks, Esksinaitupiks, Etskainah, Ipoksimaiks, and Issui. The Emitaks and Issui are societies comprising elder members who share cultural practices and attire, while the Etskainah society persists among northern Piegan. These divisions highlight the complex social structure of the tribe, though many details have been lost to time.