Blackfoot

North Americahunter-gatherers

Map
expand_more Description

The Blackfoot consist of three geographical-linguistic groups, or nations: the Siksika (formerly called Blackfoot), the Kainai (or Bloods), and the North Peigan and South Peigan (the Blackfeet of Montana). Although these groups are sometimes called a confederacy, there was no overarching political structure. Each of the nations of Blackfoot came together in their own large camp during the summer. Traditionally, the Blackfoot were hunter-gatherers who depended largely on bison hunting. The basic sociopolitical unit was the clan cross-cut by a series of age-grade men's societies. On the reserves today, the Blackfoot depend on ranching, farming, wage labor, and welfare.

Identifier
Region
  • North America
Subregion
  • Plains and Plateau
Subsistence Type
  • hunter-gatherers
Samples
Countries
  • Canada
  • United States
External Links