Siksika Nation
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| (6,000[1]) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Canada(  Alberta) |
|
| Languages | |
| English, Blackfoot | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity, Traditional beliefs | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Blackfoot peoples (Kainai, South Peigan, and Northern Peigan) and Algonquian peoples |
The Siksika Nation is a First Nation in southern Alberta, Canada. The name Siksiká comes from the Blackfoot words sik (black) and iká (foot), with a connector s between the two words. The plural form of Siksiká is Siksikáwa. The Siksikáwa are the northernmost of the Niitsítapi (Original People), all of whom speak dialects of Blackfoot, an Algonquian language.
When European explorers travelled west, they most likely met the Siksiká first and assumed all Niitsítapi of the Blackfoot Confederacy were Blackfoot, which is incorrect. The four Niitsítapi nations of the Blackfoot Confederacy are the Siksiká, Káínaa (Kainai or Blood), Aapátohsipikáni (Northern Peigan), and Aamsskáápipikani (South Peigan or Montana Blackfoot). The approximate population of the Siksika Nation, as of 2009, is 6,000 people.[1]
Location
The Siksika Nation reserve, Siksika 146 is located one hour's drive east of the city of Calgary, and three kilometres south of the Trans Canada Highway #1. The administrative and business district are strategically located adjacent to the Town of Gleichen to accommodate visitor traffic.
Land claims
The Siksika Nation has had a longstanding land claim dispute with the Government of Canada over events dating back to 1910. The government sought the cession of approximately 46,621.4 hectares (115,204 acres) of land within the Siksika Indian Reserve for sale by the federal government to incoming settlers. The cession included 5,067.6 hectares (12,522 acres) of reserve lands to be transferred to the Canadian Pacific Railway, for construction of the Bassano Dam. The band members were not adequately informed about this portion and lost the use of the surface rights of the land. The Nation claims the transfer was done illegally. In 1980, the government admitted that no proof existed that Canadian Pacific had acquired the rights to the land for the dam.[2]
The Nation entered into negotiations with the Canadian government to settle the land claim. In 1991, the Siksika nation signed a $4.9m agreement with the government for compensation for mineral rights lost due to construction of the dam. In 2010, the Nation finally reached agreement with the governments of Canada and Alberta to settle the land claims. The band would receive $50 million and new water rights.[2] The money will be put in a trust to benefit the Nation for purposes such as education and welfare.
Notable people
- Crowfoot, chief of the Siksika Nation (c. 1885) and a signer of Treaty 7.
- Aatsista-Mahkan (Running Rabbit), portrayed in photo by Edward S. Curtis
- Robin Big Snake, former professional hockey player, most recently with the Muskegon Lumberjacks during the 2009-10 International Hockey League season.
- Gerald McMaster, artist, curator, and author
- Carrissa Lowhorn(Blackfoot woman from Siksika Nation) National and International Pageant Queen(Miss Canada Globe): Miss Southern Alberta, Miss Canadian Scholarship Ambassador, and National finalist for Miss Universe Canada 2014. Representative for Canada and the United States of America in two major international pageants in Athens Greece and the Republic of Albania.
Gallery
-
Sahpo Muxika, also known as Crowfoot, Head Chief of the Siksika, ca 1885
-
Curly Bear, a Siksika chief, 1903
-
Aatsista-Mahkan, circa 1900, by Edward S. Curtis
-
Gerald McMaster, 2009
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Oki (Welcome)". Official Website of the Siksika Nation. 2009 (retrieved 12 December 2009)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Siksika Nation. |
- Official Website of the Siksika Nation
- Concise description of the Blackfoot tribes
- Blackfoot digital Library
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