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Small Robe Band of Blackfeet: Ethnogenesis by Social and Religious Transformation

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Small Robe Band of Blackfeet: Ethnogenesis by Social and Religious Transformation University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 2007 Small Robe Band of Blackfeet: Ethnogenesis by Social and Religious Transformation Linda Matt Juneau The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Juneau, Linda Matt, "Small Robe Band of Blackfeet: Ethnogenesis by Social and Religious Transformation" (2007). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 890. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/890 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Small Robe Band of Blackfeet: Ethnogenesis by Social and Religious Transformation By Linda Matt Juneau AAS Blackfeet Community College, Browning, MT 1995 BA, Native American Studies, The University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 2002 Thesis Presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Anthropology The University of Montana Missoula, Montana Spring 2007 Approved By: Dr. David A. Strobel, Dean Graduate School Dr. Gregory R. Campbell, Chair Anthropology Dr. Richard Sattler, Committee Member Anthropology Dr. Richmond L. Clow, Committee Member Native American Studies Juneau, Linda, M.A., May 2007 Anthropology Small Robe Band of Blackfeet: Ethnogenesis by Social and Religious Transformation Dr. Gregory R. Campbell, Chairman Abstract One of the most significant challenges facing Native Americans and their indigenous identity is a greater understanding of the historical complexity of relationships that interconnected ethnically diverse populations across geographic landscapes. This thesis examines the range of Blackfoot political, social, economic structures, spiritual beliefs, and practices that were in place at the time of Euro-American contact. I use historically documented evidence of transformations that took place from the beginning of the fur trade era through the reservation era. Through the theoretical lens of ethnogenesis I use a case study of the Small Robe ( Inuck’siks) band of the South Piegan of Montana to elucidate their responses to conditions of change. I conclude that all divisions of the Blackfoot Confederacy changed in response to catastrophic conditions of disease, warfare, and other natural phenomena as well as contact with and inclusion of other Indian and non-Indian people and their cultures to ensure continuity and survival. ii Acknowledgements It is not an exaggeration to say this thesis would not have happened without the inspiration and spiritual guidance of my ancestors whose stories will always live in my heart and mind as I hear their voices from the past. Many individuals have given me inspiration and assistance along the path of recovering knowledge about the Small Robe Band of Blackfoot Indians. I would like to thank the members of my committee. First was Dr. Richmond Clow, Professor of Native American Studies who insisted that scholarly works be seen through Indian eyes. Dr. Greg Campbell, of the Anthropology Department, who inspired me to see the diversity of Indian tribes prior to the arrival of the Euro- American and Dr. Richard Sattler for his early encouragement in critique of literary sources. I also wish to thank Kate Shanley and the writers group, as well as Dean Sharon Alexander and Dr. Sally Thompson who consistently offered words of encouragement and a much appreciated willingness to read and comment on my drafts. But, If there is one person who brought all the support, knowledge and inspiration together with her excellent abilities as a true scholar I offer many sincere thanks to my friend, adopted niece, and colleague, Elizabeth Sperry for providing great avenues to research, reading and suggesting, rereading and proofreading so many versions of this paper. Most of all I appreciate my sons, Steve, Edmond and Robert for their encouragement, support and inspiration to continue on this path of a role model for them and their families. I am so very thankful for my seven grandchildren who so patently waited and understood my need to finish this paper. iii Table of Contents Chapter 1 Introduction....................................................................................... 1 1.1 Ethnohistorical Method................................................................................ 8 Chapter 2 Overview of Blackfeet Confederacy Political and Social History..... 12 2.1.1 Who We Say We Are: Our Homeland............................................... 12 2.1.2 The Blackfoot Alliances....................................................................... 13 2.1.3 Locations............................................................................................. 15 2.1.4 Allies and Neighboring Tribes: ............................................................ 16 2.1.5 One Nation – Two Countries............................................................... 19 2.2 Population ................................................................................................. 20 2.2.1 Oral Traditions .................................................................................... 21 2.3 Band or Micro-Level Formations ............................................................... 28 Chapter 3 The Blackfoot Common Belief System ........................................... 35 Chapter 4 Era of the Fur Trade ....................................................................... 40 4.1 Indirect Trade ............................................................................................ 40 4.2 Direct Trade .............................................................................................. 46 4.2.1 Piegan Acquisition of the Horse: ......................................................... 53 4.2.2 Hybridized Group Coalition ................................................................. 56 4.3 The Linguistic and Archaeological Connection.......................................... 60 Chapter 5 Case Study: The Inuck’siks (Small Robe Band) ............................ 63 5.1.1 Identification........................................................................................ 63 5.2 Band Name Origin..................................................................................... 63 5.2.1 Geographic Location........................................................................... 64 5.2.2 Inuck’siks Population........................................................................... 66 5.2.3 Balancing an Ancient Belief ................................................................ 69 5.2.4 Black Robed Medicine Men Bearing War Power ................................ 77 5.3 The U.S. Governmental Intervention......................................................... 90 Chapter 6 Conclusion...................................................................................... 95 iv List of Figures Figure 1: Territory of the Blackfoot Alliances and Neighboring Tribes 1800-1840, By Hugh Dempsey ...................................................................................... 16 Figure 2. Kootenai Appe made his home with the Piegans and sometime after the 1781 epidemic of small pox became their War Chief. His portrait was painted by the artist Karl Bodmer in 1832.................................................... 52 Figure 3 Makuie-Poka ("Child of the Wolf") the son of a Blackfeet mother and Kootenai Appe. Father and son were painted on the same day in mid- August at Fort McKenzie 1832-34. .............................................................. 73 Figure 4 - Blackfeet Holy Woman, Bundle & Pipe meet the Jesuits. 1846 Painting by Jesuit Father Nicholas Point ..................................................... 88 v Chapter 1 Introduction One of the most significant challenges facing Native Americans and their indigenous identity is a greater understanding of the historical complexity of relationships that connected and defined ethnically diverse populations.1 Prior to contact and influence of Euro-Americans, the four tribes now known as the Blackfoot Confederacy self-identified as fluctuating populations. By critically examining a series of historical and sociopolitical episodes on the Northwestern Plains, this thesis addresses the emergence, characteristics, composition, evolution and integration of a band of Southern Piegan to neighboring tribes and reintegration to a social organization from which they originated. All cultures change for a variety of reasons, but the core of social identity is based upon a shared belief system. It is how they adapt to their living conditions, how they change in response to catastrophic conditions, disease, warfare and other natural phenomena, and how they must alter their life-ways at certain intervals that determines if they are going to continue to be a people. 2 The early ethnographic literature about Native North American societies assumed that the culture, as described, was a highly standardized form of social behavior, existed with little change over an indefinite period preceding European contact. 3 Some scholars assumed further that certain homogeneity 1 existed in tribal societies throughout time and space. In other
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