Indigenous 101 (4)

Week 5: The Great Plains Niitsitapi (Blackfoot)

Introduction to Niitsitapi

• Niitsitapi translates to "The People" or "The Blackfoot speaking people."

• Comprised of a confederation of three groups:

  • Siksika (Blackfoot)

  • Kainai (Blood)

  • Piikani (Peigan)

Niitsitapi Creation Myth

• Napi (The Old Man):

  • Central figure in Blackfoot creation, seen as both a trickster and a cultural hero.

  • Created the world from mud, shaping landscapes, animals, and natural elements.

  • Created mountains, prairies, forests, birds, and animals.

  • Journeyed from the South to the North, arranging the world's features as he went.

• Creation of Life:

  • Every plant and animal was assigned a specific place on Earth:

    • Big Horn Sheep in mountains

    • Bison and Antelope on prairies

  • First humans were made from clay and taught how to harvest plants and animals for sustenance and medicine.

Napi and the Animals

• Story of Napi:

  • Accompanied by four animals during the creation phase:

    • Fish (Mameo)

    • Frog (Matcekups)

    • Lizard (Maniskeo)

    • Turtle (Sopeo)

  • The quest for earth involved the animals diving into water for mud.

Creation of Earth and Humans

• Napi manually rolled the mud from the turtle into earth, allowing it to expand into the world as we know it.

• Created women first, followed by men. Initial separation led to shyness among men whom Napi encouraged to unite with women.

• To sustain humanity, Napi created buffalo and provided bows and arrows, teaching hunting techniques.

Plains Archaeology

Archaeological Evidence Types

• Key types of archaeological evidence reflecting past lifestyles include:

  • Buffalo Hunting: Evidence of herding methods, including drives off cliffs.

  • Tipi Rings: Portable, cone-shaped homes with circles of stones as remnants, used as anchors.

  • Medicine Wheels: Circular stone structures possibly used for spiritual and astronomical purposes, often featuring a central cairn and spokes aligned with celestial bodies.

• Oral histories increasingly complement physical archaeological evidence, adding historical context and validating findings.

Insights from Indigenous Traditions

• Indigenous narratives illuminate the significance of various locations and artifacts studied by archaeologists.

• A combination of oral traditions and material evidence offers a comprehensive view of historical contexts.

Ancient Buffalo Hunting

• Native Plains peoples have inhabited the area for over 11,000 years, relying heavily on buffalo for sustenance, tools, and shelter.

• Buffalo hunting presented challenges due to their size and speed.

Buffalo Culture

• The society of the Great Plains is often termed "Buffalo Culture":

  • Cultural practices, religious ceremonies, and social structures are closely linked to buffalo migration patterns.

  • Buffalo regarded as sacred, with significant ceremonies and festivals aimed at ensuring their return.

  • Buffalo skulls feature prominently in communal hunts, rituals, and dances.

Significant Archaeological Sites

• Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump:

  • Located in southeastern Alberta near Lethbridge.

  • Used extensively from 5600 years ago to roughly 150 years ago.

• Tipi Rings:

  • Circles of stone, remnants of lodges, represent the most prevalent archaeological features throughout the plains.