Canada - The return of the Blackfoot | DW Documentary

Key Concepts

Blackfoot Confederacy, First Nations, Indigenous culture, horses in Blackfoot culture, residential schools, reconciliation, Sun Dance, powwow, Indian Relay race, bison restoration, cultural preservation, trauma, healing, identity.

Blackfoot Confederacy and Traditional Territory

The Blackfoot, traditionally hunters and skilled horse-riders, inhabit western Canada. They are part of the Blackfoot Confederacy, a group of four closely related First Nations. Their traditional territory includes parts of Alberta, encompassing the Canadian Badlands with geological formations like hoodoos and Dinosaur Provincial Park. Horses have been integral to Blackfoot culture for over 300 years, used for hunting, travel, and warfare, symbolizing wealth and social status.

Ty Provost and Horse Rehabilitation

Professional horseman Ty Provost, from the Piikani Reservation near the Montana border, rehabilitates thoroughbreds from racing stables. He emphasizes allowing horses to "remember how to be a horse" by giving them pasture time and addressing the anxiety and potential withdrawal symptoms from drugs used in racing. He aims to train them for the sport of relay racing.

Example: Gypsy, a former racehorse, exhibits anxiety and stress from his previous racing life. Ty uses a second horse to calm Gypsy down.

Historical Context and Loss of Territory

In 1877, the Blackfoot signed a treaty with the British Crown, but there's a consensus that they did not believe they were giving up the rights to their land. They lost most of their territory, retaining only three small reserves.

Modern Alberta and Blackfoot Presence

While some Alberta towns resemble western movie settings, most First Nations people live on reserves. The Blackfoot's traditional territory is fertile, contributing to Alberta's beef industry. Pincher Creek, near a Blackfoot Reserve, is the windiest place in Alberta and a hub for wind power projects.

Example: Rancher Harvey Dersch, whose ancestors settled on land that once belonged to indigenous peoples, maintains good relationships with his Blackfoot neighbors.

Blackfoot Spirituality and Sacred Sites

The Blackfoot view the earth as a living being with a soul and voice, communicating through natural phenomena. Spirits play a significant role, and specific places like "Writing on Stone" (with rock art dating back over two thousand years) and Okotoks ("Big Rock") are considered sacred. The Canadian government banned spiritual ceremonies in the 19th century.

Kyle Young Pine and Cultural Reconnection

Kyle Young Pine, a plumber in Calgary, overcame alcohol addiction and reconnected with his Blackfoot culture. He expresses pride in seeing younger generations, like Phoenix, embrace their heritage.

Quote: "Reconnecting with my culture, being proud to be Blackfoot, saved my life."

Residential Schools and Cultural Erasure

Canada's first Prime Minister, John MacDonald, is considered the architect of plans designed to eradicate indigenous culture. Boarding schools were established to assimilate indigenous children, separating them from their families and forbidding them to speak their languages. Approximately 150,000 children attended these schools, with an estimated 6,000 deaths due to malnutrition, abuse, neglect, and disease. The last school operated until the 1990s.

Data: The discovery of 1,300 unmarked graves near former boarding schools caused a shockwave in Canada.

Legal Action: The government settled a lawsuit for around 2 billion euros, acknowledging the loss of indigenous language and culture caused by residential schools.

Elroy Jerry and the Legacy of Residential Schools

Elroy Jerry, a survivor of the Old Sun Residential School, recounts his experiences of abuse and resistance. He highlights the intergenerational trauma caused by the schools, leading to parental alcoholism and a lack of nurturing.

Quote: "No kid should be a good fighter."

White Bison and Healing

White bison, extremely rare (one in 10 million births), are considered a blessing and to have healing powers by the Blackfoot. Bison breeder Carlon Big Snake, also a residential school survivor, hopes the spiritual power of his white bison will contribute to reconciliation.

Indian Relay Race and Cultural Significance

The Indian Relay race is a part of Blackfoot culture, thought to have originated from hunting bison or catching mustangs. The modern competition involves speed and horsemanship, with riders changing horses after each round.

Process: The race consists of three rounds, with riders mounting bareback and changing horses at full gallop.

Gypsy's Training and the Chief's Race

Gypsy, the former racehorse, is trained for the Indian Relay race. During the Chief's race, Gypsy is initially hesitant, but Cody, an experienced rider, eventually gets him going.

Quote: Ty: "Have a bad experience and it sticks with him, eh? Gypsy is not ready... It is always good to end it on a good note."

Bison Restoration and Cultural Revival

Dan Fox and his grandson Asher maintain a bison herd, aiming to revive Blackfoot culture. The bison provide essential resources for traditional practices and ceremonies.

Quote: Dan Fox: "We try to re-teach it to the young ones what this animal meant to the tribe years ago and let them know that this is a healthy way of life."

Sun Dance and Powwow: Cultural Celebrations

The Sun Dance is a significant annual event, involving fasting, prayer, and dancing around a decorated tree for four days. Participants may also engage in acts of devotion, such as piercing their skin. The powwow is a large gathering of First Nations people, celebrating their music, dance, and traditions.

Process: The Sun Dance involves smudging (cleansing with sweet grass smoke) and a four-day ritual of fasting, prayer, and dancing.

Quote: Kyle Young Pine: "Powwow is fun, but ceremony is life."

Luke Calling Bull and Traditional Practices

Luke Calling Bull emphasizes living according to Blackfoot traditions, including specific hairstyles and cultural practices.

Quote: "It is a huge responsibility but it is a huge honor in our community for our people to carry on this way of life, because we almost lost it."

Conclusion

The documentary highlights the resilience of the Blackfoot people in preserving their culture despite historical trauma and ongoing challenges. It showcases efforts to reconnect with traditions, heal from the legacy of residential schools, and build a future where indigenous heritage is celebrated and integrated into modern Canadian life. The restoration of bison populations, the revival of ceremonies like the Sun Dance and powwow, and the participation of younger generations in these practices demonstrate a commitment to cultural survival and reconciliation.