A painting from life by Karl Bodmer of a Blackfoot warrior ca. 1840-1843.
The Blackfoot Confederacy, also known as the Niitsitapi or Siksikaitsitapi, is a historic collective name for the linguistically related groups that make up the Blackfoot or Blackfeet people. The Blackfoot people have a rich history filled with fierce fighting, dedication to culture and tradition, and resilience in the face of great adversaries.
The Blackfoot Confederacy was composed of closely related bands: The Peigan (Piikani), the Blood (Kainah or Akainiwa), and the Kiksika (Blackfoot Proper) The Peigan were further divided into Northern and Southern groups. Traditionally, the Blackfeet lived in what is now Alberta, Canada, and in Montana. Today, they still reside in these regions, albeit more spread out and with far less land than they did at the height of their population.
The Blackfoot tribe can be referred to as “Blackfoot” or “Blackfeet,” though the Blackfoot call themselves the Niitsitapi or “The Original People”. There are mixed reports on how the tribe received the name “Blackfoot.” Some believe it refers to the tribe’s moccasins becoming blackened from their long journeys across the prairie to reach Montana. Others believe that the bottoms of their moccasins were painted black.
Defenders of the Tribe
Blackfoot Warriors were highly revered and respected individuals within the Blackfoot Confederacy. These warriors played a crucial role in protecting their communities, hunting for food, and participating in warfare against rival tribes.
The Blackfeet were fierce warriors known to raid other Native American tribes and follow the buffalo through their migration in the seasons. They were known as one of the most aggressive military powers on the plains. They warred against neighboring tribes and took their horses. They also kept British, French, and American fur traders from poaching beavers in the upper parts of Missouri.
One of the most famous Blackfoot warriors was Mountain Chief, also known as Ninna-stako in the Blackfoot language. Mountain Chief was born around 1848 at Oldman River in Alberta, Canada. He was the son of Mountain Chief and Charging Across Quartering¹. His father, also known as Butte Bull and Bear Cutting, was a South Piegan chief and the son of Kicking Woman and Chief Killer. Mountain Chief was the hereditary chief of the Fast Buffalo Horse band.
Mountain Chief was a South Piegan warrior of the Blackfoot Tribe. He was also called Big Brave (Omach-katsi) and later adopted the name Frank Mountain Chief. He was involved in the 1870 Marias Massacre, signed the Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1868, and worked with anthropologist Frances Densmore to interpret folksong recordings. Mountain Chief’s legacy continues to inspire and influence the Blackfoot people today.
Training and Tactics
Warriors within the Blackfoot society underwent rigorous training from a young age to become skilled fighters. They were well-trained in various forms of warfare, including hand-to-hand combat, archery, and horseback riding. They possessed exceptional physical strength, agility, and endurance, which made them formidable opponents on the battlefield.
The Blackfoot Warriors utilized an array of weapons tailored for different combat scenarios1. They wielded a variety of weapons, including bows and arrows, lances, and tomahawks. They also developed ingenious techniques for breaking and training horses, and their warriors became celebrated for their equestrian skills.
Blackfoot Warriors employed a combination of stealth, agility, and tactical prowess to gain an advantage over their adversaries. They relied on ambushes, hit-and-run attacks, and feigned retreats to disorient and confuse their opponents. In their old wars, they rarely took men captive. The warrior never expected quarter nor gave it, and usually men fought to the death, and died mute, defending themselves to the last/
Shamans were integral to the spiritual and strategic aspects of Blackfoot warfare. Their abilities were believed to influence the outcome of battles, providing a spiritual edge to the physical conflict.
Blackfoot Migration and Interactions with Settlers
The Blackfoot people were one of the first Native American Tribes to head West. Initially, the tribe migrated on foot and used wooden travois pulled by dogs to carry their belongings. They first lived in the Saskatchewan Valley, but at the height of their power, they held a vast territory from Northern Saskatchewan to the Southern headwaters of the Missouri River.
Once the Blackfoot acquired horses and firearms from white traders and Cree and Assiniboine go-betweens, they were able to gain more territory and hunt with greater ease. They drove other tribes like the Kootenai, Flathead, and Shoshone tribes west of the continental divide.
Final Thoughts
The Blackfoot warriors were a symbol of bravery and resilience. Their legacy continues to inspire and influence the Blackfoot people today. Their story is a tribute to the enduring spirit of the Blackfoot Confederacy, a group that has faced numerous challenges but continues to uphold its culture and traditions with pride and dignity.
Resource
Blackfeet Nation
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