The Blackfoot Indians :: essays research papers

The Blackfoot Indians     The wind blows across the lone prairie, causing the golden heads ofgrass to sway in a synchronized motion. On the horizon stands a herd of buffalowith bowed heads silhouetted by the slowly sinking sun. In the east stands anIndian war party mounted on horseback, each various(prenominal) in different multicoloredattire, all with either bows or spears in hand. As they move in for the flak,the mystical sentiment slowly fades from vision....     This dreamlike scene was once everyday life to the American Indianbefore they were robbed of all that made their life real. The Indiansoriginally came over to North America via the Bering Strait at a time when theice age caused the gap to freeze over. They came from Asia by following herdsand in search of more. During their travels, some decided to stop and settledown, and then the many different tribes. The Blackfoot occupied the region ofmodern day Alberta in Canada, and Mont ana in the U.S. The Blackfoot consistedof three main tribes the blue Blackfoot(Siksika), the Piegan(Pikuni), andthe Blood(Kainah). The tribes differed little in their speech, solely werepolitically independent. Blackfoot population varied, but was less affected bythe arrival of the white man than some tribes due to their location. "In 1855,there were approximately 2,400 Northern Blackfoot, 2,000 Blood, and 3,200 Piegan.The total population of Blackfoot varied as follows 15,000(1780), 9,000(1801),7,600(1855), and 4,600(1932)" ( ). The decline of population wasmost likely due to the white mans diseases and the annihilation of the buffalo.In 1781, the Blackfoot had their first serious attack of smallpox. An epidemicof smallpox again occurred in 1838, 1845 1857, and 1864. In the winter of 1864,the tribe was struck with measles and about 780 died. In the winter of 1883 to1884, more than 1/4 the Piegan population died of starvation (600). This wasmainly the result of official stu pidity and the disappearance of the buffalo.     The Blackfoot were typically large-game hunters and were mainlydependant on the buffalo for their diet, clothing, and receptacles. They alsohunted much(prenominal) animals as the elk, deer, and antelope. There were four mainmethods of hunting, one of which was the "surround". This method required theuse of horses and was done by surrounding the herd, after which they were shotdown. other method was accomplished by driving the game down a cliff, inwhich the fall would injure the animal enough to hinder their escape. A troikamethod used was impounding, which resembled modern day cow herding. The huntingparty would build fences into which they would herd the animals.