In the Blackfoot Indians Tribe History, the name Blackfoot Indian was really the name of four Blackfoot Native American Indian tribes that lived in the plains. These included the Siksika, the Blood, the South Piegan, and the North Piegan. Where did the Blackfoot tribe live in the beginning?  As mentioned above they were in the Northwestern Plains area that stretched from a bit North of the Saskatchewan River in the country of Canada all the way to Montana at the Missouri River.

Blackfoot Indians Tribe History

All the Blackfoot tribe, which included all four tribes had a similar culture, a common language, and treaties. They even joined together for various ceremonial rituals and could marry another from any of the four tribes.

Traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation is that the first tribe to hunt buffalo what were known as drives, but smaller games such as deer were captured in snares. Even though the Blackfoot tribe could have easily eaten fish it was only used when other types of meat were not plentiful.

Native American Blackfoot divided into bands during the winter months close by forests with around 20 housing units that hold up to 200 people. Everyone one of the bands had their own Chief. The reason for this is that they might need to defend their homes against attacks but with only between 100 to 200 individuals in each band, they could move quickly.

Blackfoot Indian history shows that during the springtime the buffalo moved to grasslands, the tribe stayed in place until they were sure winter was completely over before moving and living in tribal camps instead of small bands. During this time, the black foot native American began hunting buffalo and had their ceremonial rituals. During around the middle of summer, all Blackfeet Indians would join together for the main ceremony known as the Sun Dance. Once the ceremony began, warriors were based on their brave deeds and actions. After this important ceremony, the tribes were divided again to hunt buffalo.

Blackfoot Tribe Location

The Blackfoot Indians Tribe were mainly in what we know as the Great Lakes Region. The Cree Indians sworn enemies of the Blackfoot pushed the tribe westward, which made them the first tribe to move westward. As they moved westward they began to call the northern plains area home from the Saskatchewan all the way to the Rocky Mountains home.

Blackfoot Tribe Culture

Blackfoot Indians elected their leader and family was very important. During traveling, there were around 25 individuals in the band which would choose their leader. While the tribe was at peace, a peace Chief would be chosen that would aid in improving relationships with other tribes. On the other hand, a war chief was not elected but had to be earned via their own acts of bravery.

Blackfoot Societies

The tribe had diverse societies such as if young men wanted to be in a certain society, he had to go on a vision quest that started with a cleansing of the spirit in what was called a sweat lodge. The idea was that the young brave would see a vision that would show his future.

Warriors also had a cleansing of the spirit prior to a battle, paint their bodies and even their horses for the war at hand.

The religious society was responsible for the protection of items that Blackfeet held sacred as well as be in charge of the various religious ceremonies. Among their duties were to bless warriors prior to war/

The society of women was very important to the tribe as well as they created quill-work on all clothing as well as created the ceremonial shield, prepared the cloth and skins to create their clothing and cared for the children while passing down the ways of the tribe, among other duties.

As mentioned above, the family was very important to the Blackfoot tribe in which a male could choose his bride, but she was given the option to accept or not. The Indian brave had to show her father that he was a good mate by impressing the father, at which time both the male and female traded gifts of clothing and horses which finished the marriage. In the majority of cases, the couple lived in their own tipi or in other cases, lived with the husband’s family. The Blackfoot were allowed more than one bride, but usually only had one wife.

Blackfoot Clothing

The clothing the Blackfeet Indians were created from tanned or softened deer and antelope hides. The women of the tribe decorated the clothing for all tribe members. The majority of cases, the males did not wear shirts but wore a buffalo robe across their shoulders with long leggings that reached their hips, a loincloth along with a belt.

Females were dresses that were usually created from deerskin along with bracelets and earrings from seashells that they received in trades from other tribes.

Famous Blackfoot Indians

There were many different famous Blackfoot Indians which included Elouise Cobell, Byron Chief-Moon, Crowfoot, Old Sun, Batista-Mahkan, A-ca-00-Maho-ca-ye, Red Crow, Peenaquim, Calf Shirt, Stu-mick-o-súcks, Faye HeavyShield, Joe Hipp, Stephen Graham Jones, Rickey Medlocke, Shorty Medlocke, Ivan Naranjo, Earl Old Person, Jerry Potts, Steve Reeves, Misty Upham, James Welch, Thomas A. Thompson, The Honourable Eugene Creighton, and Gyasi Ross.

Blackfoot Tribe Facts

• The name of the tribe did not actually have anything to do with the color of their feet but was actually due to the color of the moccasins the tribe wore.
• Even today, Blackfoot Indians Tribe still live in the northern plains including Idaho, Montana, and Alberta, Canada.
• At this time, there are around 25,000 Blackfoot Indian bands with close to 10,00 living in America while the rest live in Canada.
• Blackfoot children played several games like most children including a game known as a hoop game.
• Weapons used by the tribe for hunting were usually longbows and during fighting hide shields and clubs.
• Even though the Blackfoot Indians Tribe were friendly with most other tribes including the Cree, Crow, Shoshone, and Gros Ventre they also had wars among the same tribes.