BLACKFEET ECO KNOWLEDGE
WELCOME
According to the teachings of the Niitsitapi elders, the land, water, and relationships with the animate and inanimate world collectively embody the Creator’s love, known as Kittsakokomiim, for all creation.
Our traditions teach us that every molecule on this planet carries within it the dynamic essence of life and pathways for renewal, sustaining not only the people and territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy but also the entire world. This deep respect and reverence extend to all our relationships. Nitsitapii (the real people) ways of knowing and living are increasingly recognized as essential sources of climate resilience.
In our way of life, we strive to restore balance to the land and its inhabitants through honor, ceremony, song, and the careful preservation of natural resources. At the same time, we are committed to reversing the impacts of historical trauma inflicted on Indigenous peoples by reconnecting with our traditional practices and fostering collective healing. BEK has been a leader in expanding and promoting community access to vital methods for safeguarding language, culture, ceremony, history, and the sharing of Indigenous traditional knowledge.
Mission Statement
Blackfeet ECO Knowledge's mission is to revive, preserve, and promote Indigenous traditional knowledge systems. We focus on the reciprocal relationships between bio-cultural diversity, where people and the environment work together for environmental sustainability for future generations. The goals are to ensure cultural perpetuity, pass on knowledge to future generations, and protect the environment in ways aligned with our cultural principles. We seek to share this knowledge with the world to develop a better understanding of the importance of balanced and respectful human-environment interactions.
Vision Statement
The goal of all projects undertaken by the organization is to reverse the effects of historical trauma that have impacted not just the people, but also our culture, language, and environment. The four identified pathways include reconnecting people to their way of life, revitalizing the language, promoting culture, and re-establishing bio-cultural diversity to preserve the impact on land, animals, and ecosystems. The projects aim to end generational cycles and restore the Nitsitapii people's sense of identity and pride in their language, culture, and place.
​
​
​
​
Our Team
The team at Blackfeet ECO Knowledge is comprised of elders, cultural practitioners, and local community members with diverse positions within the Blackfeet Tribe, including business owners, foresters, educators, and environmentalists. The team also includes experts in architecture, history, preservation, and justice. All projects are developed by the team, and they monitor short and long-term goals to ensure successful completion. The team is united in their commitment to reconnect Blackfeet traditional knowledge systems to the people, culture, language, and environment of the Nitsitapii people.
​