Niitsitapi – Blackfoot, the First People. Geschichte würdigen und lebendige Traditionen feiern

In the organizer's words:

The Blackfoot Confederacy is one of the most historically significant indigenous nations in North America. On this evening, representatives of all four nations will provide insights into their history, their cultural traditions and their lives today - told in personal accounts, accompanied by music and shared conversations.

The Blackfoot live in the prairie regions of present-day Montana (USA) as well as in Alberta and Saskatchewan (Canada). Their language, spiritual beliefs and cultural practices have been passed down through generations - despite profound historical upheavals. The evening offers the opportunity to reflect on these experiences and at the same time gain insights into current projects of cultural strengthening and knowledge transfer.

The focus is on exchange and discussion - about history, memory and the importance of cultural self-determination today. The event is aimed at anyone interested in indigenous perspectives, cultural heritage and social dialog.

Schedule

• 16:45: Musical introduction
• from 5 p.m.: Talk, film screening and discussion

Participants from the United States - Blackfeet Nation

John Murray - Innipootah

Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Blackfeet Nation

John Murray is a respected cultural leader and Tribal Historic Preservation Officer of the Blackfeet Nation, known for his lifelong commitment to protecting Blackfeet cultural heritage, lands and traditions. A former professor at Blackfeet Community College and member of the Tribal Council, Murray has spearheaded key initiatives to preserve sacred sites such as Badger-Two Medicine and has championed the revitalization of traditional knowledge through education and ceremony. He is a spiritual elder, a ceremonial bundle holder and a dedicated advocate for youth cultural participation. His accomplishments include being honored with the Montana Governor's Humanities Award and inducted into the Montana Outdoor Hall of Fame.

Carol Murray - Noatowpiisachii

Educator and Cultural Leader, Blackfeet NationCarol Murray, educator and cultural leader of the Blackfeet Nation, has dedicated her career to the preservation and revitalization of indigenous heritage. A graduate of Blackfeet Community College and Montana State University, she served at Blackfeet Community College for 36 years - including as the college's first female president who was herself a tribal college graduate. She founded the Blackfeet Studies program, raised more than $20 million in funding and led key construction and development projects on campus. Murray plays a central role in the repatriation of sacred objects and the revitalization of traditional societies and ceremonies. Her influence extends beyond the reservation: through lectures, scholarly work and curatorial collaborations with institutions such as the Smithsonian and the Glenbow Museum, she also has a national impact.

Gheri Hall

Deputy Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Blackfeet Nation

Gheri Hall is a dedicated cultural practitioner of the Blackfeet Nation who is committed to preserving and revitalizing the traditions of her people. For over a decade, she has served as the guardian of both the Beaver Bundle and the Brave Dog Bundle, preserving their spiritual meaning and teachings. Gheri has also worked with the Blackfeet Tribal Historic Preservation Office since 2011, playing a central role in protecting and communicating the Blackfeet's historical and cultural heritage. With her deep knowledge, respect for tradition and unwavering dedication, she is a recognized and inspiring voice of cultural preservation in her community.

Tyson Running Wolf - Mahkoyisaepoop

CEO, Blackfeet Eco Knowledge

Tyson Running Wolf is a dedicated conservationist, cultural leader, member of the Montana Legislature, and former Executive Secretary of the Blackfeet Nation Tribal Council. Deeply rooted in a connection to the land passed down through generations, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Public Administration. In several terms in the legislature, he has consistently advocated for the sustainable use of land and resources while taking on leadership roles within the Blackfeet Nation. As a cultural leader and holder of a ceremonial bundle, he is committed to passing on and preserving the knowledge passed down from his ancestors - and combines his public commitment with his life as a husband, father and grandfather.

Lona Running Wolf - Ihkinookoomii

Executive Project Manager, Blackfeet Eco Knowledge

Lona Running Wolf is a dedicated Indigenous education professional with extensive experience as a teacher, curriculum specialist and university lecturer. She has worked on school improvement throughout Montana, directed the American Indian Student Achievement program, and currently supports educational initiatives for Indigenous teachers while serving as an Indigenous pedagogy consultant. With several academic degrees and a doctoral program underway, Lona combines her professional endeavors with her role as a cultural leader. Together with her husband, Tyson, she is actively engaged in revitalizing Blackfeet Nation traditions - and in the process, continuing to educate an extended family in that spirit.

Leon Rattler

Cultural leader and cultural mediator, Blackfeet Nation

Leon Rattler, cultural leader of the Blackfeet Nation and member of the Blackfoot Confederacy, has dedicated over 30 years to preserving traditional knowledge through education, ceremony and mentoring. As a Vietnam veteran, Sundance leader and keeper of the Beaver Bundle, he imparts Blackfeet spiritual and environmental teachings across generations. As an artist-in-residence at Glacier National Park and co-founder of Mopistun Four Directions, he promotes cultural renewal through ceremony, land-based knowledge and community direction.

Participants from Canada

Jerry Potts

Piikani Elder

Jerry Potts Jr, a respected Piikani elder and member of the Blackfoot Confederacy, is a central figure in the preservation and revitalization of Blackfoot spiritual and cultural traditions. With a deep commitment to cultural renewal, he has been instrumental in returning sacred ceremonial objects - including rattles, masks, ceremonial bundles and pipes - from museums and institutions to Blackfoot communities. His work has not only revitalized long-dormant ceremonies, but also instilled a new sense of identity, pride and spiritual well-being. Through his leadership, Potts continues to inspire intergenerational reconnections to traditional ways of life and ensure the continuation of Blackfoot cultural heritage for generations to come.

Vilma Crow Shoe

Piikani Elder

Velma Crowshoe is a respected Piikani elder who plays a central role in connecting Indigenous knowledge with archaeological practice. An active participant in collaborative projects, she emphasizes the essential importance of Blackfoot orality - narratives, songs and language as passed down by elders - in understanding ancestral lands, artifacts and creation narratives. She makes clear that many aspects of the Blackfoot way of life do not translate into English and yet are fundamental to identity and belonging. Through her work, Crowshoe ensures that Indigenous voices are instrumental in interpreting cultural heritage - fostering a deeper, intergenerational connection to Niitsitapi knowledge and history.

Leonard Weasel Traveller - Apamahka

Piikani elder and cultural leader

Leonard Weasel Traveller - Apamahka is a respected Piikani elder, cultural leader and keeper of traditional knowledge within the Blackfoot Confederacy. He was a council member and Chief of the North Piikani Nation, led the Alberta Chiefs' Summit Process and has consulted in the field of Indigenous child and family services for over 20 years. He is widely recognized for his commitment to preserving Blackfoot traditions through ceremony and education. In 2023, he led a naming ceremony at The Confluence historic site and a pipe ceremony to reaffirm an important agreement with the City of Calgary. His work focuses on cultural preservation, reconciliation and the repatriation of sacred objects.

Traven Weasel Traveller

First Nation Nitsitapii Métis Inuit Technical Advisor, Holy Spirit School Division

Traven Weasel Traveller, originally from the Piikani Nation and a graduate of Lethbridge, Alberta, is deeply rooted in Blackfoot ceremonial traditions through his grandfather Leonard Weasel Traveller and his family connections to the Yellow Horn and Bruised Head families. In his role as First Nation Nitsitapii Métis Inuit faculty advisor with the Holy Spirit School Division, he is committed to promoting Blackfoot culture and pride among students. Traven is passionate about telling stories about the courage of Indigenous heroes and carrying on key Blackfoot narratives. He also coaches the basketball team at St. Paul's School in Lethbridge. Previously, he played five seasons as an offensive lineman for the Vancouver Island Raiders in the Canadian Junior Football League.

Kent Ayoungman - Riding a Painted Horse

Ceremonial knowledge keeper and leader, Siksika Nation

Kent Ayoungman, also known by his Blackfoot name Riding a Painted Horse, is a respected keeper of ceremonial knowledge and former council member of the Siksika Nation, part of the Blackfoot Confederacy. Deeply committed to the preservation and revitalization of Blackfoot cultural practices, he has worked with educational institutions to develop Indigenous curricula and has been awarded an honorary doctorate and the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, among other awards. Ayoungman plays a central role in repatriation processes and is a formative voice in the integration of Blackfoot perspectives in archaeology and cultural education work. His work inspires sustainable work in the areas of cultural preservation and decolonization.

Linda Little Chief

Activist and former First Lady of the Siksika Nation

Linda Little Chief is a respected member of the Siksika Nation and widow of Roy Little Chief, a prominent activist and former Chief of the Siksika Nation. She has been involved in cultural and historical initiatives for many years, including the digitization of Blackfoot objects in museum collections. In 2019, she took part in a project at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in Cambridge, where she worked with other Blackfoot representatives to view and document cultural artifacts. She is also involved in the Apani Blackfoot Digital Library - a project to preserve and share Blackfoot knowledge and heritage. With her commitment, she contributes significantly to the preservation and revitalization of Blackfoot history and culture.

Herman Yellow Old Woman

Ceremonial Knowledge Keeper and Elder-in-Residence, Siksika Nation

Herman Yellow Old Woman is a highly respected Elder and Ceremonial Keeper of Knowledge of the Siksika Nation, known for his pivotal role in repatriating sacred Blackfoot cultural artifacts from prestigious institutions such as the Smithsonian and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum. As Elder-in-Residence at Old Sun Community College, he is passionate about the return of important artifacts such as the Weather Dance Robe and the Buffalo Woman's Headdress, emphasizing their importance for ceremonial use, cultural healing and the restoration of community identity. His unwavering commitment to cultural preservation and Indigenous sovereignty was recognized in 2020 with the prestigious Lieutenant Governor's Award from the Alberta Museums Association.

Learn more

- free of charge

- No ticket required

- Language: English

- Location: Mechanical arena in the foyer

- Part of: Guest room