The Pikuni or Blackfeet migrated westward from the northern Great Lakes region to claim the territory around the Bear Creek, (what Lewis later renamed the Marias River) in present day north central Montana and south central Canada as theirs. The Pikunis were arguably the most feared tribe of the Plains Indians. The Europeans later split this land on the 49th Parallel or Medicine Line to become part of the present United States of America and Canada.

The Blackfeet people consist of the Pikuni/Piegan, Northern Piegan, Blood/Kainai, and Blackfoot Siksika tribes. The four groups practice religious and ceremonials together or in their separate areas, but with the same way of life and beliefs. Within the family relations, family members connect each group.

The name Blackfeet originates from a distinctive black color to their moccasins, possibly from walking across land burned in prairie fires.

They quickly assimilated a nomadic lifestyle supported by the bison of the plains. Buffalo hides were traded for many items, including horses from the Nez Perce and guns from the Hudson Bay and Northwest Companies.

The most sacred yearly event was the Medicine Lodge Ceremony, also known as the Sun Dance. The tribes would gather in mid-summer to fulfill vows to assure the well being of the community.

In 1806, Meriwether Lewis encountered the Piegan at the junction of the Two Medicine River and Badger Creek. According to www.blackfeetnation.com, Lewis killed one Piegan who was trying to steal a gun.

In the late 1800's, hostilities developed between the Blackfeet and the white settlers, focused on the reported Blackfeet killing of Malcom Clark - a trader at Fort Benton, Montana. This hostility culminated in the Massacre on Bear Creek (Baker Massacre on the Marias) when United States Calvary attacked the camp of Heavy Runner, a friendly chief, and killed over 200 men, women and children.

The greatest devastation to the Pikuni lifestyle was the near extinction of the buffalo. With their main food source gone and no developed agriculture skills, they were forced into total dependence on the government run Indian Agency for food. The winter of 1884 was cruel and cold, more than 600 Pikunis starved to death only 47 years after a second smallpox epidemic killed nearly 6000 or 2/3 of the total Pikuni population.

For more information, please visit the tribal website http://www.blackfeetnation.com/

Last Modified on: 1/11/2003