Legends of the Ancient Blackfoot
Before the echoes of modern times reverberated across the vast expanse of North America, before the arrival of those who were unknown to the land, the Blackfoot people thrived on the Western Plains. Their existence was intricately woven with the rhythm of the prairie, a landscape dominated by the majestic Rocky Mountains, their peaks kissed by snow and their lower slopes cloaked in the deep green of pine forests. This was their home, a realm where the Blackfoot, or Niitsítapi as they call themselves, lived in harmony with the natural world.
The Legends of the Ancient Blackfoot begin on the rolling plains, a panorama that transformed with the seasons. Spring painted the landscape with vibrant hues of green and wildflowers, but for the majority of the year, the prairie stretched endlessly in shades of brown, a testament to its resilience and enduring spirit. This seemingly barren land teemed with life, supporting a diverse array of creatures that played vital roles in the Blackfoot way of life.
The plains were a theater of life, often punctuated by the dramatic movements of vast herds of buffalo. These magnificent creatures, sometimes numbering in the thousands, roamed freely, either fleeing in panicked stampedes or grazing peacefully, their dark forms dotting the distant hills. Alongside the buffalo, graceful antelope, distinguished by their yellow and white coats, darted across the prairie with unparalleled speed and agility.
The river valleys, carved by the patient work of water, offered sanctuary to herds of elk seeking respite from the open plains. Willow thickets and brushy ravines provided cover for deer, while the foothills of the mountains served as a haven for these elusive animals. In the rugged terrain of the Badlands, amidst rocky slopes and towering buttes, the sure-footed mountain sheep found refuge, grazing on the prairie grasses and retreating to the higher elevations when disturbed or seeking rest.
These animals, the buffalo, elk, deer, antelope, and mountain sheep, were the sustenance of the Blackfoot before the arrival of European settlers. Among them, the buffalo held paramount importance. Its abundance allowed the Blackfoot, like other Plains Indians, to develop sophisticated hunting techniques, ensuring a steady supply of food. However, when the buffalo herds migrated away, the Blackfoot turned to the smaller animals to sustain themselves. The Legends of the Ancient Blackfoot often speak of the resourcefulness required to survive such times.
Before the introduction of horses, the Blackfoot relied on their dogs as beasts of burden. These loyal companions carried loads on their backs or hauled travois, a simple yet effective contraption consisting of two long poles attached to the dog’s shoulders and dragging behind. A platform lashed between the poles allowed for the transport of smaller burdens, often including infants.
When the tribe moved, the responsibility of carrying belongings fell upon every able-bodied member. Men, women, and children bore loads suited to their strength. However, men often traveled unburdened, ready to defend their families against potential attacks. This apparent disparity in labor was often misinterpreted by outsiders, who failed to grasp the strategic importance of men remaining unencumbered, prepared to protect their loved ones from harm. The Legends of the Ancient Blackfoot underscore the vital roles each member played in ensuring the survival of the tribe.
The limitations of human and canine transport dictated the pace and distance of travel. The Blackfoot could not undertake long journeys, carrying all their possessions on their backs and the backs of their dogs. The materials available also shaped their everyday lives.
Water, essential for survival, was carried in bags crafted from the stomachs of buffalo. These natural containers, carefully cleaned and sealed, were filled with water using spoons made of buffalo horn or ladles fashioned from the horns of wild sheep. The flexible nature of these bags meant they had to be hung from tree limbs, lodge poles, or tripods.
Cooking methods were equally resourceful. Meat was roasted or boiled, the latter often taking place in stone bowls or kettles made from fresh hides or buffalo paunches. These makeshift kettles were supported by stakes or placed within hide-lined holes in the ground. Stones heated in a fire were then carefully transferred to the water-filled kettles, bringing the contents to a boil. The Legends of the Ancient Blackfoot subtly reveal the intimacy between the people and the resources the land provided.
Fire, a symbol of life and warmth, was not easily obtained. Lacking matches or flint and steel, the Blackfoot relied on the friction of wood to create a spark. A man would hold a piece of soft, dry wood with small hollows carved into it, while another twirled a slender hardwood stick within one of the hollows. The friction generated dust that eventually smoked and sparked, igniting tinder and creating a flame.
To avoid the arduous task of fire-making, the Blackfoot kept embers alive by carrying smoldering punk within the hollow tip of a buffalo horn. This ensured a ready source of fire when the camp was reached. Upon arrival, young men would gather wood and start communal fires, from which each woman would take a brand to ignite her own lodge fire.
Clothing, like all aspects of Blackfoot life, was derived from the animals that roamed the plains. In warm weather, men and boys wore minimal clothing, but in colder months, everyone was wrapped in warm buffalo robes. Children wore robes made from the skins of buffalo calves. Shirts, dresses, leggings, and moccasins were crafted from tanned buffalo, deer, antelope, and mountain sheep hides. Moccasins were often made from smoked lodge skin, known for its softness even after being wet. The soles were made of stiff buffalo rawhide with holes to allow water to drain. The Legends of the Ancient Blackfoot provide a glimpse into a world where every resource was valued and utilized to its fullest potential.
The homes of the Blackfoot were lodges, or tipis, made of tanned buffalo skin stretched over a cone of long, slender poles. An opening at the top allowed smoke from the central fire to escape. Beds were arranged around the fire, close to the lodge covering. These dwellings were surprisingly warm and comfortable. A wide strip of tanned buffalo skin, known as the lodge lining, was attached to the inside poles, creating an air space that insulated the interior. The lining was often adorned with paintings of animals, people, and mystical figures.
Seats and beds were covered with soft buffalo robes, and inclined backrests made of willow twigs provided support. The spaces between the backrests were used to store personal possessions, such as pipes, tobacco, paint, and parfleches. The exterior of the lodge was often painted with symbolic figures believed to bring good luck. Animal figures, representations of natural features, or even processions of ravens were common motifs. Flaps at the top of the lodge regulated the fire’s draught, and buffalo tails hung from the wings, adding a touch of artistry to the practical design. The Legends of the Ancient Blackfoot illustrate a deep connection to the spiritual world, reflected in every aspect of their daily lives.
The Blackfoot arsenal consisted of bows and arrows, spears, stone hammers, and knives. Hammers were used for various tasks, from breaking firewood to driving tent pegs. Bows, about four feet long, were crafted from sinew-backed wood, giving them considerable power. Arrows were made from straight shoots of serviceberry or cherry, and their manufacture was a specialized craft. Each arrow maker strove for perfection, and their arrows were highly valued.
The process of making arrows was meticulous. Shoots were peeled, smoothed, and dried before being shaped with grooved sandstone. The shafts were straightened by hand and then passed through a hole drilled in a rib or horn to polish them. Grooves were created by pushing the shaft through a rib with internal projections. Feathers were attached with glue and sinew wrappings. Arrowheads were made of stone, bone, or horn, each meticulously shaped and sharpened.
While the Blackfoot primarily subsisted on meat, they also consumed vegetable foods, particularly berries and roots. Women and girls collected berries in the summer and dried them for winter use. Roots were unearthed using a long, sharp-pointed stick called a root digger. Some roots were eaten fresh, while others were dried for storage. The Legends of the Ancient Blackfoot reveal a people attuned to the seasons, harvesting the bounty of the land in its time.
The buffalo remained the cornerstone of the Blackfoot diet. They devised ingenious methods for capturing these animals, including the use of buffalo jumps, or piskuns. These involved driving buffalo over cliffs into corrals below, where they could be easily killed.
Buffalo were lured to the jumping point through curiosity. Hunters would attract their attention and then slowly lead them toward the cliff. Once the buffalo were within range, people hidden along diverging lines would rise up and frighten them, driving them toward the edge. The Legends of the Ancient Blackfoot are rich with stories of brave hunters and successful hunts.
The capture of buffalo was a sacred event, preceded by religious ceremonies and prayers. Sacrifices were made, and sacred objects were displayed. The man who led the buffalo would approach the herd, attract their attention, and then retreat toward the piskun, luring the animals with him. Once the buffalo were within the wings, the hidden people would frighten them, driving them over the cliff. The injured animals were then killed within the corral.
Other animals, such as deer, elk, and antelope, were hunted with arrows or captured in pitfalls. The Blackfoot did not eat fish or reptiles, but they consumed most small animals and birds when necessary. During molting season, when waterfowl lost their flight feathers, the Blackfoot would drive them to shore and kill them in large numbers. Eggs were also collected in large quantities and cooked in underground ovens.
The Blackfoot were known as formidable warriors. The introduction of better weapons and horses transformed their warfare, allowing them to travel swiftly and acquire resources more easily. However, before this, the tribal and family life of the Blackfoot was simple and friendly. Relationships were highly valued, and children were raised through persuasion and advice rather than punishment.
The Blackfoot were deeply religious, fearing the natural powers and influences that shaped their world. They prayed to the Sun, the ruler of the universe, and to other powers believed to reside in the stars, earth, mountains, animals, and trees. They sought help and good fortune in all their endeavors.
The tribe was divided into several clans, all believed to be related. Marriage within the same clan was forbidden. When large numbers of people gathered, the lodges were pitched in a great circle, with each clan occupying a specific place in relation to the others. Within the circle, a smaller circle of lodges was often occupied by members of the All Comrades societies.
Unlike some other tribes, the Blackfoot did not believe in a happy hunting ground. Instead, they believed that the spirits of the dead went to a barren, sandy region called the Sand Hills. There, they lived as shadows, hunting shadow buffalo and dwelling in shadow camps. The Legends of the Ancient Blackfoot paint a vivid picture of this afterlife, a pale reflection of their earthly existence.