Description

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In Siksikaitsitapi: Stories of the Blackfoot People, six authors share their stories that come from both from legend and from their personal experiences, with many of the stories in both Blackfoot and English languages. The book is illustrated with beautiful full-colour pictures and photos which help convey these stories from Blackfoot traditional and contemporary traditions and cultures.The Blackfoot Confederacy is made up of the Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, and Amskapi Piikuni Nations of Southern Alberta and Montana. Payne Many Guns' story captures the ways the Blackfoot People live in harmony with the land, animals, and stars in their traditional lands. Crystal Many Fingers tells a delightful, modern story about animals, their gifts, and why they were put on Earth. Sheena Potts' story beautifully illustrates the many ways love is alive in Blackfoot traditions and culture. Tim Fox tells a humerous story about mice who are having a celebration that the raven Napi and a group of dogs want to join. Marlene Yellow Horn shares her personal story of the teachings she learned as a child about the Elders' traditional and sacred knowledge. DerRic Starlight tells the tale of Morning Star's diverse and loving family life.

About the Author

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Payne Many Guns' traditional Blackfoot name is Iikootsomin which means "Red Wing." It is his great-great-grandfather's name that he am honored to have. He is a member of the Siksika Nation which is part of the Blackfoot Confederacy. He comes from a long line of chiefs and signatories of Treaty 7. He is very passionate about his language and culture because of the knowledge, pride, strength, and resiliency it gives him. Crystal Many Fingers is a Blackfoot member of the Kainai First Nation of Treaty 7. She grew up on the Blood Reserve and as a child roamed the halls of the University of Lethbridge where her mother, Dr. Helen Manyfingers, was studying to earn her Bachelor of Education degree. This inspired Crystal to enroll at the University of Calgary, where she chose to major in English Literature. After completing her B.A., Crystal decided to pursue a career in teaching, to follow in the footsteps of three of her siblings. She then went on to complete her Master of Education degree with a specialty in Adult and Workplace Environmental Learning. She now works as the Indigenous Consultant to Curriculum at Bow Valley College in Calgary, Alberta.