CurtisCamp

Piegan · Algonquian

The Piegan, the Bloods, and the Blackfeet are closely related and allied Algonquian tribes, collectively designated as Blackfeet. The Piegan were the last of the woodland Algonquian tribes to migrate to the western prairies, settling in Alberta, Canada and Montana.

Men and women wore the typical deerskin clothing worn by most plains tribes with ornamentation made from porcupine-quills and beads fashioned from silver-berry seeds. Dwellings were buffalo skin tipis.

The principal deity was the sun, or “Napiw,” who was called upon for supernatural aid. The main ceremony was the Sun Dance or “Okun.” There were also numerous ceremonies connected with the opening of sacred bundles, such as the one containing a sacred pipe.

The men were organized into a series of warrior societies based on age: Doves, Flies, Braves, All Brave Dogs, Tails, Raven Bearers, Dogs, Kit-foxes, Catchers, and Bulls — known collectively as “All Comrades.” Their function was to preserve order in the camp during the march and on the hunt, to guard against surprise by the enemy, and to cultivate the military spirit through intersociety rivalry.

Curtis observed: “Hand in hand with pestilence stalked the liquor traffic, a foe scarcely less pernicious, and indeed they must have had a hardy and prolific people to have so well maintained their population against such malevolent odds.”