O C O T B E R 2 0 1 6 PIIKANI TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY Box 70 Brocket, Alberta, T0K0H0 Ph (403) 965-2985 Fax (403) 965-2987 OKI PIIKANI AND SOUTHERN ALBERTA! Manager: Ira Provost Programs Coordinator: Jaron Weasel Bear In this issue: Blackfoot Confederacy Conference pg 2 Winter Count Corner pg 3 Blackfoot Phrase of Month pg 3 Cross-Cultural Education & Training pg 3 Book Review pg 4 Events pg 5 Great Links pg 5 Community Spotlight pg 5 5 th Bison Society Signing pg 5 September was an extremely busy month for Piikani Traditional Knowledge Services center and staff. Our team has gone out to meet with many schools and community organizations to begin talking about the new academic year and the programs that we can collaborate and deliver both at the center and off-site. There are so many great ideas and events that have been discussed and are now in the works! We strongly recommend that should any organization have a need to deliver or share Blackfoot heritage and culture, please give us a call! We d be happy to share ideas! This month the Siksika Nation hosted the Blackfoot Confederacy Conference in Lethbridge and many of our community elders and members were able to attend. The center took part in the Annual Calgary Aboriginal Justice Camp hosted by the Calgary Police Service and Piikani Nation member Cindy Provost. We also attended the 5 th American Bison Society Workshop historic signing in Banff. We look forward to a full fall getting out into the community and schools! Katamutsin, Ira Provost, Manager www.piikanitks.org
Grand Entry: Chief Yellow Old Woman, Chairman Barnes and Chief Grier 16 th Annual Blackfoot Confederacy Conference The Siksika Nation hosted the 16th Annual Blackfoot Confederacy Conference in Lethbridge Alberta on September 20-22. The theme of this year s conference was Siksikaitsitapi Atsootsiikkakimaak (Work Together to Move Forward). This year s conference was well-attended, averaging 250-300 participants each day who travelled from all areas of the confederacy. The conference that has been hosted in all regions of the traditional Blackfoot territory, this year it was held at the Lethbridge Lodge. On the first day each Chief of the Blackfoot nation gave greetings on behalf of their respective nations including our Chief Stanley Grier, Chief Vincent Yellow Old Woman (Siksika), Councilor Dorothy First Rider (for Chief Charles Weasel Head Kainai), and Chairman Harry Barnes (Amskapi Piikani). Opening: Chief Yellow Old Woman, Chief Grier, Councilor First Rider and Chairman Barnes This year s conference proceedings had a sense of urgency to mobilize and encourage all the Blackfoot Nations to come together and move forward as a confederacy valuing common interests. Blackfoot Confederacy Conference technicians Jack Royal (Siksika), Annabelle Crop Eared Wolf (Kainai), Jim McNeely (Amskapi Piikani) and Paula Smith & Byron Jackson (Piikani) did a great job bringing the conference to a focus that then proceeded into breakout sessions. Session topics included Economic Development, Political/Legal, Social and Culture & Language. Conference Technicians: Paula Smith, Jack Royal, Annabelle Crop Eared Wolf and Jim McNeely The final day consisted of several presentations from Tribal legal representatives on the NRTA & Stoney Claim, the Iinii Initiative, and climate leadership. The conference concluded with a transfer of the Drum and Buffalo Robe to next year s host: Amskapi Piikani. 2
PTKS provides educational outreach with a variety of programs and services available in crosscultural awareness targeted to classrooms, educators and corporate managers alike. Our current and innovative programming is developed, delivered and managed by personnel with extensive experience in education having worked in provincial and on-reserve school districts for over a decade. Our preference is to work alongside organizations to develop customized educational programming to meet your specific programming objectives and timelines. Some of our current and locally developed programs include: Blackfoot Language Instruction; Blackfoot History (Pre and Post contact; Treaties, Current History); Coordination of Elder Presentations and Visits; Blackfoot Sacred Sites Tours; Certified Traditional Games and Sports Clinics (Instruction); Complete Residential Schools Education (Truth and Reconciliation Commission); & Youth Afterschool and Summer Programs. 3 The winter count was a way for the Blackfoot to keep record of the past years events recorded on a buffalo hide. These visual accounts provide a rich source of information that connects the Blackfoot to our past. Every newsletter we will showcase an entry taken from the Winter Count: A History of the Blackfoot People (1979). 1868 When all the tribes last made the corral for the buffaloes (or bull Pen) Weasel Tail, a Blood Indian During his lifetime he witnessed two buffalo drives. The last was when he was about fifteen (p. 60) Blackfoot is a complex and multifaceted language that is based in oral tradition. PTKS will share common words or phrases that readers could use at home or around the office in conversation. English: My name is (first person singular) Blackfoot: Nitanikkoo Sounds Like: nee daw nih goo Any suggestions for future Blackfoot words please e-mail us your comments!
Book Review Enjoy a book by First Nations Authors The Sun Came Down Publisher House: U of Nebraska Press Author: Percy Bullchild Originally Published: 1985 Come join the great storyteller Percy Bullchild as he recounts the historical legends of the Blackfoot people handed down to him from generations of elders. These legends in The Sun Came Down expose a culture rich in spirituality and humor. Discover the legendary history of Creator Sun and how he had formed the earth. Journey with familiar and new figures such as everybody s favorite old man Napi, or a Coyote figure that is both helper and bane to humanity and the hero Blood-clot (Katoyis) who the Sun sen2t to undo Napi s craziness. Also learn of the origins and cultural importance of ceremonies such as the Sun Dance and so much more! Piikani Traditional Knowledge Services recommends The Sun Came Down as a rare treasure that conveys the complexity and richness of the spirituality, mythology and psychology of the Blackfoot culture. Percy Bullchild (1915-1986) is from Browning, Montana; he was a well-known storyteller, artist and musician. At the age of 67 he set out to put the oral traditions and history of his people into a permanent written record: The Sun Came Down. In his own words he regarded this undertaking as, to write the Indian version of our own true ways in our history and legends. You know how I got to be so wise and awesome? I was born that way oh yea and I read! 4 CHECK THIS BOOK OUT!!!
5th American Bison Society Meeting & Workshop Banff, AB September 26-29, 2016 This month we showcase our community Elders organization the Peigan Crowlodge Elders Society. The society s mission is to advocate, promote, and support Piikani initiatives that reenforce the traditional ways of Piikani and bring the community together. Their vision is to promote a unique and united Piikani experience founded on community based spiritual and cultural values. The American Bison Society hosted their 5 th biannual meeting in Banff, Alberta. The three-day workshop hosted bison conservationists from all over North America to discuss the number of initiatives to conserve and reintegrate freeroaming herds back onto the prairies. The Iinnii Initiative (Buffalo Treaty) that was signed between many Indigenous North American tribes in 2014, including our Piikani Nation welcomed aboard new signatories from across Canada. The center has active and vibrant participation from community elders who meet at the Mary Ann McDougall Memorial Elders center every Tuesday. The center keeps our Piikani elders organized and involved in all sectors of our community. As a registered not-for-profit within the province of Alberta, the center receives its support from grants or donations. Please consider making a donation to support their worthwhile events by contacting them directly (403) 965 3147. Blackfoot Language Teaching Tool - Montana, United States www.piikanipaitapiisin.com Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park Siksika, Alberta www.blackfootcrossing.ca Fort Macleod Kids First Family Centre Fort Macleod, Alberta www.fmkidsfirst.com Blackfoot Language Symposium Host: Aitsi poyiiksi Blood Tribe October 5, 6, &7 - Coast Plaza, Lethbridge, Alberta Piikani Nation Interagency Meeting - Host/Chair: Pincher Creek Family Link Centre - November 7 - PTKS Office 9 am- 12 pm Treaty Seven Education Conference October 11&12 Grey Eagle 5 Tsuu Tina Nation Halloween Masquerade Powwow - Host: Napi Friendship Center - October 31- Brocket Community Hall
www.piikanitks.org Announcing: Piikani Traditional Knowledge Service Culture & Heritage Night October 4, 2016-6:30-8p.m. (every second Tuesday following) All ages Location: PTKS Center Snacks and Refreshments provided Piikani Nation Chief and Council Meeting October 20 Multi-Purpose Building 5 pm - 7 pm Next Niipoomaakiiks Meeting October 30, 2016-1:00 pm Location: PTKS Center PIIKANI TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY Box 70 Brocket, Alberta, T0K0H0 Ph (403) 965-2985 Fax (403) 965-2987