The Story of the Blackfoot People: Nitsitapiisinni

by The Glenbow Museum

For the first time in history, the Blackfoot people share their culture, beliefs and traditions with the rest of the world.

In an innovative partnership with Calgary's Glenbow Museum, a team of elders and spiritual leaders from the Blackfoot community agreed to share their history, traditions and artifacts in an effort to document their lives. The Story of the Blackfoot People: Nitsitapiisinni is the first piece of permanent documentation written by the leaders of the Blackfoot community about their lives both past and present.

The Story of the Blackfoot People: Nitsitapiisinni chronicles all the important aspects of Blackfoot life and history. The book begins by exploring the fundamental belief systems of the Blackfoot including their traditional stories, sacred places, dances and ceremonies. Strong relationships are recognized by the Blackfoot as one of the most important keys to survival and the roles of men, women, children and elders, and their sacred connection to nature and their environment, are examined in detail. Less harmonious relationships are also candidly explored including relations between the Blackfoot people and the governments of the United States and Canada. In its moving conclusion, the Blackfoot committee discusses the importance of uniting ancient traditions with modern challenges in order for their legacy to survive.

Revealing the enduring strength and fortitude of spirit of the Blackfoot people, this book will have meaning for both native and non-native alike.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Amanda Borys · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book with a clear and simple description, told by the Blackfoot Elders. The pictures were amazing and I even know a little Blackfoot.

[James Zaksek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book for a lot of reasons. One of the things I noticed very quickly was the history it told about the Blackfoot People in Canada, rather than just in Montana. This focus on our neighbors to the North meant a lot to me to read about because to this point, I haven't read anything about the Canadian story of the Blackfoot people; so even reading each chapter was a good bit of reading in its own right. The last few chapters of the book were probably the most important that were needing to be read because the fact of the matter is this: their people are still here. We need to acknowledge our neighbors and try to understand and accept them as individuals. If we cannot do this, we are only adding fuel to the fire.

[Jordan Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book purely for research. However, this book was extremely insightful to the injustices against the Blackfoot and the ways of life that the Blackfoot lost though assimilation. I'm from the South, so naturally I know more about the South Indian tribes, so I really enjoyed learning about this tribe and how they lived and what happened to them through the turn of the 19th century.

[Tania · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely essential reading to anyone residing on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy. Would love to see an updated edition (this one was c. 2001) that takes into account changing perceptions in settler populations and efforts at truth and reconciliation. We have a lot more work to do.

[Adrienna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the real life photos, factual info and even language on how to say things in Blackfoot's language vs. English.

My father believed that we had Blackfoot in us due to his grandmother claiming so whom was from Mississippi; see these three tribes under Blackfoot is from Montana/Canada and Missouri river.

I borrowed a copy from work library.

[Lane Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief but interesting introduction to Blackfoot history. I'm awfully under-informed about these people's land that I occupy, and I wanted to start learning more. This was a good start but a very high-level overview. Looking for something that goes a little deeper now.

[Julie Brodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every person needs to read this. It should be a reading requirement in all schools.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully informative.

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief history of the Blackfoot people;traditions, creation stories and the current problems facing the tribe are discussed. I found this to be a good introduction to the Blackfoot people and their lands.