The Blackfeet Indians, known as the Niitsítapi, are one of the most storied and resilient Indigenous nations of the Northern Plains. Comprising the Siksika, Kainai (Blood), Piikani (Peigan), and the Blackfeet Nation of Montana, they have preserved a vibrant culture rooted in buffalo hunting, warrior traditions, and deep spiritual practices.
In this section, explore articles on Blackfeet history, tribal divisions, ceremonies, language, and modern-day life. From legendary battles to sacred sites, these stories reflect the strength and spirit of a people who have thrived across centuries and borders.
Elouise Cobell (Yellow Bird Woman) heard the stories for years: the government was cheating Native Americans on payments for land rights. She took up the cause, and now the Blackfoot Indians are poised to reap billions. In Blackfoot country, passing…
The Blackfeet / Blackfoot tribes were divided into the following divisions: The Siksika or Blackfeet proper, occupying the northern part of their territory; the Kainah or Bloods south of the preceding, and the Peigan or Piegan, south of the Kainah,…
Each Indian tribe had their own word to mean the Blackfoot Tribe. Here is a list of a few of the names given the Blackfoot by other Indian tribes:
A debate over whether to expand the eligibility requirements to enroll as a Blackfeet tribal member is dividing the Blackfeet Nation.
The Blackfeet tribe in 2011 had 16,924 enrolled members, according to tribal enrollment office statistics. But there are about 105,000 people who identified themselves as `Blackfeet Indian' on the 2010 U.S. Census.
QUESTION
I know the Blackfeet Indians had a reputation as fierce warriros and excellent horsemen. But did they develop a particular breed of horse?
--Submitted by John L.
The Blackfoot Buffalo Horse is a descendant of the Spanish Mustang.
The popular opinion is that all Indian horses descended from animals brought to the Americas by Columbus, and Cortez in the early 1500s, and Ponce de Leon and other later explorers and immigrants. However some Indian tribes say they had horses before Europeans came. The Blackfoot tribes have their own legends about how the blackfoot aquired the horse.
Enrollment in the Blackfeet Tribe is governed by Ordinance 14. (This link is a PDF file. You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to print and view this file. If you do not have the Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can…