Oral histories hold profound significance for Montana Tribes, serving as vibrant repositories of collective memories passed down through generations. While some historical details may have been lost over time, much of the rich tapestry of their past remains alive within community stories and narratives, waiting to be fully documented. This article provides a Blackfeet Tribe Timeline, offering a glimpse into the long and storied history of the Blackfeet people and the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana.
Time Immemorial – Creation: The Blackfeet Tribe Timeline begins with the genesis of their world. In Blackfeet cosmology, "Napi," or Old Man, is the creator figure responsible for shaping the landscape of Montana and Canada. He molded the majestic Rocky Mountain Range, sculpted the iconic Sweetgrass Hills, and crafted other significant geographical features that define the Blackfeet homeland. These landforms are not merely physical locations; they are imbued with spiritual meaning and serve as constant reminders of Napi’s creative power and the deep connection between the Blackfeet people and their environment.
6,500 BC: Archaeological evidence indicates that the land now known as Montana has been inhabited by Native Americans since prehistoric times. These early inhabitants adapted to the diverse environments of the region, leaving behind traces of their presence in the form of tools, campsites, and rock art.
500 BC – The "Dog Days": This period marks a significant phase in Blackfeet history, characterized by their reliance on dogs for transportation and sustenance. The Blackfeet followed the "Old North Trail," a historic route traversing the "Backbone of the World" (the Rocky Mountains). They utilized dogs and dog travois – a type of sled or drag – to transport their household goods and belongings. This era reflects a nomadic lifestyle deeply intertwined with the seasonal movements of game and the challenges of navigating a vast and rugged landscape.
1650: Early European explorers venturing into central Canada encountered the Blackfeet people. These initial interactions, though often brief, marked the beginning of a period of increasing contact and exchange between the Blackfeet and European cultures.
1690: Henry Kelsey, an explorer representing the Hudson’s Bay Company, made brief contact with the Blackfeet in what is now Alberta, Canada. This encounter represents one of the earliest documented interactions between Europeans and the Blackfeet, laying the groundwork for future trade and relationships.
1730: A pivotal event occurred when the Blackfeet were attacked by the Shoshone, who were mounted on horseback. This was the first time the Blackfeet had ever seen horses, leading them to call these magnificent creatures "Elk Dogs," recognizing their size and utility. This encounter dramatically altered Blackfeet life, setting in motion a rapid adoption of horses into their culture.
1730: Around this time, it is believed that approximately fifty Blackfeet individuals acquired their first horses through peaceful trade with neighboring tribes, including the Flathead, Kootenai, and Nez Perce. These interactions fostered cultural exchange and facilitated the spread of horsemanship among the Blackfeet.
1731: French Jesuits began to arrive in the region, seeking to establish missions and convert the Native populations to Christianity. Their presence brought new religious and cultural influences to the area.
1748: The first French trappers ventured into Blackfeet territory, drawn by the abundance of fur-bearing animals. This marked the beginning of the fur trade era, which would have a profound impact on the Blackfeet way of life.
1750: Alexander Henry, representing the Northwest Fur Company, established contact with the Piegan, one of the three main divisions of the Blackfeet Confederacy. This interaction further solidified the presence of European traders in the region.
1754: Anthony Hendry of the Hudson’s Bay Company became the first documented white man to meet with the Blackfoot. He spent time in a Blood camp consisting of 322 lodges near present-day Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. Hendry attempted to persuade the Blackfoot to engage in trade, but the Bloods were uninterested due to their abundance of horses and buffalo. This early encounter illustrates the Blackfeet’s initial self-sufficiency and resistance to relying on European trade.
1772: Matthew Cocking of the Hudson’s Bay Company spent the winter with the Blackfoot. He found them to be friendly and hospitable, but they remained reluctant to engage in trade. This highlights the Blackfeet’s cautious approach to interactions with outsiders and their desire to maintain their independence.
1780: The Hudson Bay Company established Buckingham House on the Saskatchewan River in Canada, expanding its reach into Blackfeet territory. Through trade at this post, the Blackfeet began to acquire guns, which would significantly alter their hunting and warfare practices.
1780 – 1705: A period of intense conflict ensued as the Blackfeet nearly exterminated the Shoshone in battles over hunting territory. This rivalry reflects the competition for resources and the struggle for dominance on the Northern Plains.
1780: A tragic incident occurred when a band of Blackfeet raided a Shoshone camp, unaware that the Shoshone had contracted smallpox. The raid resulted in a devastating smallpox epidemic among the Blackfeet, wiping out approximately one-third of the band’s population. This event underscores the vulnerability of Native populations to European diseases.
1781: The Piegans, in turn, attacked a dying Northern Shoshone camp, contracting smallpox themselves, leading to a staggering 50% mortality rate. This further illustrates the devastating impact of disease on the region’s Indigenous populations.
1784: The Blackfeet declared relentless war on the Northern Shoshone, Flathead, and Kootenai tribes. This escalation of conflict reflects the increasing competition for resources and the ongoing struggle for territorial control.
1786: The U.S. Department of War established an ordinance charged with the responsibility for Indian affairs, marking the beginning of formal U.S. government involvement in Native American affairs.
1787: Blackfeet warriors journeyed south to Santa Fe, where they encountered Spanish miners and stole their horses. This raid demonstrates the Blackfeet’s prowess as horsemen and their willingness to engage in long-distance raids.
1787: Fur trader David Thompson spent the winter trading with the Piegan, while the Northwest Fur Company began trading with the Siksika and Blood tribes. These trading activities intensified the economic and cultural exchanges between the Blackfeet and European traders.
1802: The United States purchased power from France to take Native American lands under the "Doctrine of Discovery of 1493," a controversial legal principle used to justify European colonization of the Americas.
1803: The United States acquired most of Montana through the Louisiana Purchase, significantly expanding its territory and bringing numerous Native American tribes under its jurisdiction.
1803: The tribes of the Louisiana Purchase Territory officially came under U.S. jurisdiction, marking a turning point in their relationship with the U.S. government.
1806: Meriwether Lewis, of the Lewis and Clark expedition, encountered Blackfeet (Piegan) at the junction of the Two Medicine River and Badger Creek. A conflict ensued, resulting in Lewis killing one Piegan who was attempting to steal a gun. This incident represents one of the earliest documented instances of violence between the U.S. government and the Blackfeet.
1808: Mountain men and fur traders began to enter the Blackfeet sphere of interest, drawn by the lucrative fur trade. Their presence led to increased interactions, both positive and negative, with the Blackfeet people.
1809: Trader Alexander Henry compiled a census of the Blackfeet, estimating a total population of 5,200 people among the Piegan, Blackfeet, and Blood tribes. This census provides valuable demographic data about the Blackfeet at this time.
1810: The Blackfoot began cropping the tails of horses purchased from the Arikara to distinguish them from their Indian ponies, demonstrating their careful management and identification of their livestock.
1810: The Missouri Fur Company opened a trading post, but it was quickly driven out by the Blackfeet, illustrating their resistance to outside encroachment on their territory.
1811-1815: These years were marked by intermittent warfare and raiding between the Blackfeet and neighboring tribes like the Crees and Crow, reflecting ongoing conflicts over hunting grounds and resources. The Blackfeet Tribe Timeline shows intertribal conflict was common.
1818-1819: These years illustrate the importance of cultural and spiritual practices, like the Sun Dance, alongside the harsh realities of warfare and disease. A measles epidemic in 1819 decimated the Blackfoot and Gros Ventre populations, demonstrating the vulnerability to introduced diseases.
1819: The establishment of the US and Canadian border at the 49th parallel split the Blackfoot tribes, forever changing their geography and political landscape.
1820-1887: The Blackfeet Tribe Timeline shows increasing interactions with fur traders and the US government, coupled with continued intertribal conflicts. Treaties were signed, trading posts established, and devastating epidemics ravaged the Blackfeet population. The extermination of the buffalo herds in the 1880s led to a "Starvation Winter," profoundly impacting the Blackfeet way of life and forcing them to become dependent on government rations.
1888-1935: This period saw further land cessions, the establishment of boarding schools, and the implementation of the allotment system. The Blackfeet experienced the Ghost Dance movement and witnessed Montana’s statehood. Despite these challenges, the Blackfeet people organized and formed a tribal council, laying the foundation for self-governance.
1939-2009: The Blackfeet Tribe Timeline concludes with a period of renewed self-determination and cultural preservation. The Museum of the Plains Indian opened, and Blackfeet individuals served in the military during WWII. The tribe chartered Blackfeet Community College, established the Piegan Institute for language preservation, and opened Glacier Peaks Casino. The Blackfeet Tribe Timeline reflects a journey of resilience, adaptation, and a continued commitment to preserving their cultural heritage in the face of profound challenges.