Piikani Nation 147 A
Our History
The Piikani (Scabby Robe) people are a proud and strong culture. In prehistoric days the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksikaitsitapi) which consists of Kainai, Siksika and Amskapi Piikani were commonly known as the Piikani Nation. This was the making of one of the strongest military forces in North American history. The rifle was attained from the Cree and the horse was attained from the Shoshone.
It was in the 1700’s the Piikani people transformed the landscape of the North America by obtaining the Rifle and Horse. These two items saw the Piikani or Blackfoot People siege and control of the land to the North Saskatchewan River in the North, East into the heart of Saskatchewan and the border of the Montana and North Dakota, South to the Yellowstone River and all along the Front of the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains.
This is the land that the Piikani people declare today, theirs. This land is the most resource rich land in the world. This land supports and fuels the Canadian economy today. In past years, the buffalo(Iinii) was the staple of the Piikani peoples life. Buffalo provided every aspect of the Piikani culture from, food to cultural and spiritual uses. Buffalo served as one as the most coveted economic sources for the Piikani during the height of the fur trade. The territories rich grasslands and foothills provided perfect habitat to support buffalo all year round. The Piikani people controlled the economics of the territory by controlling the Hudson Bay, French, American and Spanish fur traders from migrating freely through North America. This was important in controlling the arms trading and horse trading. The military might of the day.
Written By: Lowell C. Yellowhorn
Researchers: Lowell C. Yellowhorn and Jason Plain Eagle