BLACKFEET ECO KNOWLEDGE
the real people
The Blackfeet people have a long-standing history dating back to at least 12,800 years ago. Our traditional knowledge systems have been passed down through the centuries and have sustained us through numerous obstacles such as disease, warfare, and assimilation.
Despite facing centuries of disarray and victimization, the Blackfeet people have managed to preserve our sacred knowledge, allowing us to be resilient and carry out the role as the original people given knowledge to save the world.
OUR HISTORY
NITSITAPII
OUR TENETS
PEOPLE
ENVIRONMENT
CULTURE
LANGUAGE
PEOPLE
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Centuries of Indian policies have been enacted to "deal" with Indigenous people in America, with many directly aimed at breaking down the systems of the Nitsitapii. Boarding schools were established from 1800 to 1900, stripping away the self-identity of Indigenous cultures and creating ripple effects of generational trauma cycles that continue to impact Indigenous people's positive self-identity. Until 1978, it was illegal to practice Indigenous ceremonies and engage with traditional belief systems.
At the heart of our work are the respectful and equitable engagement with our Blackfoot Confederacy Elders teachings and involvement in
mentorship of BEK staff and activities. At the direction of our Elders, BEK works to pursue efforts aimed at creating community and cultural healing in the areas of place-based ecological knowledge and practices, language preservation and active use opportunities, ceremonial continuity and traditional support systems to
increase access to Blackfoot ceremonial knowledge to our community, and mentorship to youth.
Overcoming historical trauma
CULTURE
RESTORATION & RECONNECTION TO IDENTITY
Reviving the processes and systems of the Nitsitapii is crucial to fully reversing past trauma endured by Nitsitapii peoples. However, historical trauma has resulted in many Nitsitapii being unaware that their present cycles and fears are consequences of past policies. BEK's projects aim to reconnect the people to their self-identity and restore their sense of being Nitsitapii.
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BEK has developed a Blackfoot way of life curriculum that consists of modules with learning outcomes tied to Blackfoot bio-cultural diversity. Modules will become available to tribal programs and educational institutions to reconnect participants to the tradition eco systems. Young people experiencing mental health challenges seeking support that do not have access to culture and language. Grassroots organizations that have clients in need of social and emotional support through reconnecting to positive self-identity through indigenizing educational institutions seeking to add cultural components to their current curriculums. This project has partnered with local criminal justice systems at the Blackfeet Tribe to provide 20 modules to dozens of young people and adults in recovery.
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ENVIRONMENT
Indigenous ways of knowing and living are emerging as a primary source of climate resilience. As we live we seek to restore in equal measure the land and its inhabitants with honor, ceremony, song, and preservation of our natural resources.
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The Innii Buffalo Freedom Project has identified, developed, and implemented Blackfoot Confederacy reintroduction of our Innii onto the landscape as free-roaming Buffalo. BEK has partnered with the Blackfeet
Tribe to provide support for release and/or support of the released Buffalo using a newly developed Shield Keeper model of locally hired and trained tribal members to protect the free-roaming Buffalo and ensure the success of the project. This has involved men and women from newly reestablished traditional societies including the historic restoration of the Buffalo Women’s Society which has long been absent from our Blackfeet Reservation. BEK has helped Blackfeet people by providing critical connections to environmental
and cultural mentorship by restoring traditional teaching practices aimed at advancing our connections to stories, songs, ceremonies, language to promote sustainable relationships with the Buffalo.
LANGUAGE
BEK’s Siksikatapiiks (Blackfoot Language Revitalization) Project developed an intensive language immersion plan with the fluent speakers, language experts, and cultural leader to implement the plan to produce fluent (or improved) speakers. This project has paired young people with the desire to learn the Blackfoot language, with fluent language speakers, elders, and cultural leaders to help teach the language. With these language speakers and elders, BEK developed a Language Plan was developed in 2023. This consists of language tipi talks in which participants attend immersion story telling events led in our endangered Siksikaitapi language led by
fluent speakers.
