Revitalizing & Protecting Treaty 7 Lands

Long ago the Creator (Apisstotoki) made the earth and all the different things in it. He told the earth (Ksahkomitapi) that she would be the mother of all that he had created and all his creation would live off her. The Sun (Natosi) was created and he was told that he would be the one to give light and warmth to everything. 

The Creator told Natosi’s wife, the Moon (Kokimmikisoom) that, along with all their children (Kakatosiiks) in the sky, they would be the ones to give light at night. After Creator had finished everything, he called all his creation to name them and give them counsel. He told them that they must never forget their heritage, and remember that they came from the Above People (Spomi’tapiiks). He told the animals that some of them would live below the earth, they would be called Stahtsitapiiks. He called those that would live in the water Soyitapiiks. However, when the Creator came to the dog, he was stumped as to what to do with him so he was left to himself and he freely romped all over the place. 

Somehow, he later ended up in the moon. Still today we often see his brothers the wolf, the coyote and the other dogs crying or howling for him to come home. This was how we all came to be in existence.

The Siksika refer to themselves as Niitsitapi or “the Real People.” This is because they are equal partners in the universe with all the other Beings. Many stories and legends have been passed down through generations about Creation and the early days.

Climate and Caring For Indigenous Plants

Our challenge is to share to preserve the natural flora, fauna and ecosystems on indigenous Blackfoot lands. Share knowledge on the  importance indigenous plans and allow our landscape to grow and survive with the added challenges of climate change. 

Culturally aim to share our knowledge of the indigenous plants, and the stories of our creator with our community and visitors from Canada and abroad.

With our traditional stories of the North Star we can help others learn about our culture. We can teach our youth the knowledge of our land that has been passed on for thousands of years.

We want to create an interpretive walk that teaches visitors at BCHP about the importance of our land. They can listen ours stories using an interactive knowledge hub platform, as they explore the lands that include buffalo jumps, artifacts and great spirts or our ancestors.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals bring together the need for development while preserving our planet.  For the Siksika Nation the connection between sustainable economic and community development and the health of our planet has been at our very core for thousands of years.

For the Siksika Nation the connection between sustainable economic and community development and the health of our planet has been at our very core for thousands of years.

The Siksika refer to themselves as Niitsitapi or “the Real  People” as they are equal partners in the universe with  all the other Beings. Many stories and legends have  been passed down through generations about Creation  and the early days.

Our traditional lands are in South Central Alberta, contain sacred and historical areas of the Blackfoot people. The history of the area is being preserved, celebrated and shared.   Blackfoot Historical Crossing and Park, was established on the land where one of Canada’s only treaties was signed, Treaty 7.

As we continue to develop Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park with a goal of sharing our culture, history and traditions with people in Canada, the US and abroad, we also want to honour the indigenous flora and fauna where the rivers meet and the sweetgrass grows. Our solution is to share the knowledge of our Elders and ancestors to continue to cultivate indigenous plants, and share our story.

As a fellowship our Knowledge Keepers will select the Elder or Knowledge Keepers to participate. We believe that with the MIT program we can exchange stories and solutions that can help our planet.

BCHP is a historic site and has and continues to be honoured by our people. Thought the spirit of truth and reconciliation as well as our Nations vision and mission for sustainable development, we share our story world wide.

We have 10,000 visitors to our facility a year. Five Nations visit our sites and our door is always open to our community.

According to a census on the Siksika reserve there are  more than 22,000. Our people are nomadic and live around the world.

The Blackfoot Historical Crossing Park holds immense cultural and historical significance for the Siksika Nation, the Blackfoot people, Alberta, and all Canadians. This national historic site marks the location where Treaty 7 was signed by five Blackfoot Nations, including the Siksika (Blackfoot), Kainai (Blood), Piikani (Peigan), Stoney-Nakoda, and Tsuut’ina (Sarcee),  with the Government of Canada.

Siksika Chief, Council, Elders, youth, community, and the Blackfoot Confederacy are committed to revitalizing and preserving BCHP to honour the traditions, culture, and history of the Blackfoot people. 

In September 2002 Treaty 7 was commemorated at Blackfoot Crossing. The commemoration was a week long and included a pow wow, hand game tournaments, viewing of the original Treaty 7 document and a traditional feast.

After 125 years Treaty 7 Commemoration brought together once again Blackfoot Chiefs, National Chief, the Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Alberta Lieutenant Governor, and Alberta Minister of Indigenous Affairs. During the celebrations the Chiefs spoke to the Government of Canada about the struggles their nations have had including residential schools, treaty and land rights.

“Our people have mandated the leadership to ensure that the spirit and intent of Treaty 7 be fulfilled and protected. One hundred and twenty-five years ago, our leaders of the day were given a lot of promises. Some of those promises have not happened and, as a matter of fact, overtime the policy has eroded. This is the day that we have to reflect on some of those things..." - Chris Shade, Chief Kanai 2002

As such, the Siksika Nation Chief and Council leadership at BCHP are committed to the revitalization of the commemorative site. BCHP also holds significant cultural tourism and economic development opportunities for the Siksika Nation and the surrounding areas. 

BCHP has a strategic revitalization business plan that includes the development of BCHP's park trails and Elder gathering area that are currently under construction.  The stories of our culture and our indegenious plants, are part of our revitalizaiton.

Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park is a knowledge, language and cultural hub for the Blackfoot People.

It holds immense cultural and historical significance for the Siksika Nation, the Blackfoot people, Alberta, and all Canadians. This national historic site marks the location where Treaty 7 was signed by five Blackfoot Nations, including the Siksika (Blackfoot), Kainai (Blood), Piikani (Peigan), Stoney-Nakoda, and Tsuut’ina (Sarcee),  with the Government of Canada.

Siksika Chief, Council, Elders, youth, community, and the Blackfoot Confederacy are committed to revitalizing and preserving BCHP to honour the traditions, culture, and history of the Blackfoot people.  All stakeholders are partners in this project.

BCHP is working daily to keep Treaty 7 safe, and cherished.

We are inspired by your challenge. We look to our past and our future, and by honouring our land, people and ancestors we believe we can find solutions for our future. We believe indigenous people world wide can carefully move our people and planet forward in a sustainable way.

Thank you for your consideration.

Shannon Bearchief is a strong community leader at Blackfoot Crossing and the Siksika Nation. She works on preserving our culture and sharing it world wide. Shannon has been with BCHP since the beginning. She has worked with the team on projects like the return of Chief Crowfoots Regalia, Language Initiatives, Community Programs, and Cultural Events. 

Bearchief is like our North Star as she connect with indigenous people in our Nation and world wide. She loves our youth, cares and listens to our elders and honours our ancestors.

We have an oral tradition of sharing our culture and knowledge. Through stories, and knowledge of our elders we have solutions for today.

Revitalize Treaty 7 

Celebrate Treaty 7s 150th anniversary in 2027

Pass traditions on from youth the elders

Sustainable cultural economic development

Opportunity to our people

We measure by visits to our historic park. Academic and government learnings. 

We will also measure by how our plants an fauna live.

Digitizing the past with videos and interactive technology that engage our people today and tomorrow,

Knowledge hub where we record our learnings.