Blackfeet - Montana (U.S.)

Native American

Last modified: 2022-10-14 by rick wyatt
Keywords: blackfeet | montana | native american |
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image by Donald Healy, 26 December 2007

• The band
• The flag

See also:

• Index to North American Native Bands and Nations
• Montana
• United States of America

The Band

map image by Peter Orenski based on input from Don Healy

Blackfeet - Montana

The Piegans, or Pikuni branch of the Blackfoot Confederacy, are the southernmost group of Blackfeet Indians, located in western Montana (other branches are in Canada). The Pikuni, which means "poorly dressed", occupy a reservation, established in 1855, straddling the border with Canada. The term "Blackfoot" comes from their reputation for dyeing their moccasins black.

The Blackfoot people were known for their beautiful craftwork - their tepees, clothing, weapons, and riding equipment were of exceptional design. Their war-bonnets, one of which appears on the flag, were unique in that the feathers stood straight up. Examples of Blackfoot art can be found in the Museum of the Plains Indian, located in the Blackfoot capital of Browning, Montana.

 © Donald Healy 2008

The Flag

The flag's field is medium blue and bears at the left end a ceremonial lance or coup stick with 28 white-and-black eagle feathers (sample flag provided by Elmer's Flag & Banner, Portland, Oregon). To the right of center is a ring of 38 white-and-black eagle feathers surrounding a map in white of the reservation. On this map are a war-bonnet and the tribal names "The Blackfeet Nation"
and "Pikuni" in black.

© Donald Healy 2008
information provided by Peter Orenski, 26 December 2007