This is an excerpt from the book Tribes and Trappers: A History of Montana, Volume I
Blackfeet Nation Flag The Blackfeet Indians probably got their name because of the ash-blackened or dyed moccasins they wore. In fact, that’s what the word ‘Siksika’ means, which is what the Cree referred to the Blackfeet as. The Blackfeet can be separated into three different groups, the North Blackfeet, the more centrally-located Bloods, and the group that resides in Montana today, the southern Piegan.
A Similar Beginning
Bow River Like the Crow and Cheyenne before them, and many other tribes residing in other areas of the country, the Blackfeet really came from back east. Evidence suggests that they were on the border between Canada and Maine as long ago as 1200.
The Blackfeet decided to up and move to the Great Lakes region after the first Europeans began arriving in the region beginning in the early 1600s, and settled between the North Saskatchewan and Bow Rivers. The moves weren’t difficult, even though the Blackfeet were still heavily agrarian, and the travois’ that their dogs pulled certainly helped.
The Blackfeet decided to up and move to the Great Lakes region after the first Europeans began arriving in the region beginning in the early 1600s, and settled between the North Saskatchewan and Bow Rivers. The moves weren’t difficult, even though the Blackfeet were still heavily agrarian, and the travois’ that their dogs pulled certainly helped.
Technological Changes
Karl Bodner Painting It wasn’t until 1730 that the Blackfeet were introduced to the horse by other tribes, and they took to them instantly. The consensus for years was that the Shoshone introduced the Blackfeet to the horse, but historians have recently begun to argue that it was more likely the Kootenai, Flathead, and Nez Pearce who showed them the way of the future. So proficient were they in everything equestrian that they came to be referred to as “The Lords of the Plains” in just 20 short years. It was during this time, and with the aid of their horses, that the Blackfeet moved south from Canada and into Montana, pushing the Shoshone out.
And the Blackfeet also began to acquire guns from the Europeans in trade for items like furs and pelts. This made their conquest of the plains easier, and life for other tribes so much more difficult. Together with their horses, the guns the Blackfeet employed allowed them to drive the Shoshone from Montana, and the Kootenai and Flathead across the Continental Divide into the more mountainous regions of western Montana. This allowed them to grow and prosper, and by 1780 the Blackfeet numbered around 15,000. By the time Lewis and Clark arrived on the scene in 1806, the Blackfeet’s control of north-central Montana was complete.
And the Blackfeet also began to acquire guns from the Europeans in trade for items like furs and pelts. This made their conquest of the plains easier, and life for other tribes so much more difficult. Together with their horses, the guns the Blackfeet employed allowed them to drive the Shoshone from Montana, and the Kootenai and Flathead across the Continental Divide into the more mountainous regions of western Montana. This allowed them to grow and prosper, and by 1780 the Blackfeet numbered around 15,000. By the time Lewis and Clark arrived on the scene in 1806, the Blackfeet’s control of north-central Montana was complete.
Horse Warriors
Charles. M Russell Painting of Piegan The importance of the horse cannot be underestimated in the growth and changes that the Blackfeet, and other Indian tribes like them, went through. Coupled with the buffalo, the horse made the change from an agrarian to a nomadic lifestyle possible, and efficient. Blackfeet hunting parties would usually roam the plains in bands of 20 to 30. Each band was led by a chief, and they would meet up with other bands throughout the year for important ceremonies, such as the Sun Dance
Horses were considered a sign of stature, and a show of wealth. However, it didn’t really matter how many horses you owned, but how many you could afford to give away. After all, in a nomadic society, possessions just slow you down. Sharing with others was the greatest sign that you were wealthy, in both goods and spirit.
Horses were considered a sign of stature, and a show of wealth. However, it didn’t really matter how many horses you owned, but how many you could afford to give away. After all, in a nomadic society, possessions just slow you down. Sharing with others was the greatest sign that you were wealthy, in both goods and spirit.
"When Blackfoot and Sioux Meet" by Charles M. Russell But horses could also be an area of contention between tribes. Horse theft and raids upon other tribes’ supplies were common, and often led to greater conflicts between different tribes. The Blackfeet especially assaulted the Cree in this regard, and their continual thefts would create great rifts between them and other tribes.
In fact, the Blackfeet angered more tribes than just about any other in Montana, and through the years they’ve been enemies with the Crow, Sioux, Shoshone, Flathead, Kalispell, Kootenai, Nez Pearce, Cree, Assiniboine, Salteaux, and Métis. Still, their many enemies didn’t stop them from becoming one of the most powerful Indian tribes to call the Great Plains home. The Blackfeet knew how to fight, and few were as fearsome on horseback as their young braves.
Notes
Pritzker, Barry. Native Americans [2 Volumes]: An Encyclopedia of History, Culture, and Peoples. ABC-CLIO: Santa Barbara, 1998. p. 430-5.
Bryan, William L. Montana's Indians: Yesterday and Today. American World & Geographic Publishing: Helena, 1996. p. 54-5.
In fact, the Blackfeet angered more tribes than just about any other in Montana, and through the years they’ve been enemies with the Crow, Sioux, Shoshone, Flathead, Kalispell, Kootenai, Nez Pearce, Cree, Assiniboine, Salteaux, and Métis. Still, their many enemies didn’t stop them from becoming one of the most powerful Indian tribes to call the Great Plains home. The Blackfeet knew how to fight, and few were as fearsome on horseback as their young braves.
Notes
Pritzker, Barry. Native Americans [2 Volumes]: An Encyclopedia of History, Culture, and Peoples. ABC-CLIO: Santa Barbara, 1998. p. 430-5.
Bryan, William L. Montana's Indians: Yesterday and Today. American World & Geographic Publishing: Helena, 1996. p. 54-5.
Learn More About the Blackfeet
Montana’s Indian Tribes in the 1850s and 1860s
The Marias Massacre – A Montana Disgrace
Blackfeet Culture
http://www.trailtribes.org/greatfalls/all-my-relations.htm
Useful Blackfoot Nation Site
http://www.blackfoot.org/default.php
The Marias Massacre – A Montana Disgrace
Blackfeet Culture
http://www.trailtribes.org/greatfalls/all-my-relations.htm
Useful Blackfoot Nation Site
http://www.blackfoot.org/default.php
