Blackfeet Tribal Historic Preservation Office

03/13/2026

Join us for the 2026 Piikani Archaeological Conference at the University of Montana in Missoula on May 19–20, 2026.

This year’s theme, “Piikanisaahkowa Iipiipototsipa – The Land Made for Piikani,” brings together Indigenous knowledge keepers, scholars, students, and community members to share perspectives on Piikani history, archaeology, and cultural heritage.

The conference is presented in partnership with the Iron Shirt Culture and Heritage Society, Blackfeet THPO, Blackfeet Eco Knowledge, and the University of Montana.

The event features a Banquet Dinner and Traditional Blackfoot Women’s Dress presentation on May 19 at 6 PM.

📍 Missoula, Montana
📅 May 19–20, 2026
🔗 Scan the QR code on the poster to register.

We hope to see you there!

Register at: https://www.xcdsystem.com/piikani/attendee/index.cfm?ID=UrqDd2D. Or scan QR code

for more information please email [email protected].

02/25/2026

Forwarded on Behalf of the Jay Treaty Border Alliance

JTBA Responds to Canada’s Travel Advisory

The Jay Treaty Border Alliance (JTBA) expresses profound disappointment with Canada’s recent travel advisory, which strongly recommends that First Nations individuals crossing into the United States carry a Canadian passport in addition to their Secure Certificate of Indian Status. The JTBA maintains that the inherent right of First Nations to cross the Canada–U.S. border using identification that affirms their First Nation identity, as recognized under the Jay Treaty of 1794, is paramount. Guidance advising the use of Canadian passports undermines this right and stands in direct conflict with First Nations self-determination.

Established in 2017, the JTBA works to protect and advance the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples to freely cross the international border under Article III of the Jay Treaty. The Alliance has consistently coordinated with Canadian and U.S. border agencies to support accurate guidance on acceptable documentation. In October 2022, the Jay Treaty Border Alliance Collaborative Initiative (JTBA CI) was created to address ongoing border crossing challenges faced by First Nations communities whose families and territories continue to be divided by the international boundary.

The JTBA calls on Canada to recognize not only the inherent rights of First Nations peoples, but also to specifically affirm the right of American born First Nations citizens to enter Canada. The creation of the border imposed lasting divisions on Indigenous Nations, in many cases permanently separating families and communities. The Alliance urges Canada to work directly with First Nations to address all violations, including those imposed by both the United States and Canada.

Currently, only First Nations peoples registered under the Indian Act have the right to enter and remain in Canada, while Tribal citizens do not. The JTBA continues to call on Canada to correct this inequity.

The JTBA also continues its work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Canada Border Services Agency to build practical and respectful relationships that honour treaty rights and improve the border crossing experience for First Nation citizens and families, regardless of place of birth.

The organization’s four co chairs remain committed to advancing First Nations jurisdiction and advocating for policies that recognize Indigenous peoples as stewards and protectors of their homelands.

For more information, visit: www.jaytreatyborderalliance.com

02/25/2026

02/21/2026

Archaeological resource crime persists because artifacts are too often seen as souvenirs instead of parts of living cultures.

At ATALM’s Going Home Fund, people and institutions have donated hundreds of arrowheads and stone tools we are trying to identify and return to the appropriate descendant communities. It is difficult because the items arrive with no information attached. No location. No context. No story. Once that context is stripped away, the knowledge tied to those items is largely lost.

There’s a long history of colonial collecting practices that normalized removing cultural items. But taking artifacts is illegal on public lands under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA). It is harmful everywhere.

If you find an artifact, do not move it. Note the location and report it to the land manager or Tribal Historic Preservation Office.

As John Welch explains, archaeological crimes destroy context, knowledge, and connections to Indigenous history and descendant communities. Protecting sites protects stories, sovereignty, and shared heritage.

Visit savehistory.org to read John’s blog.

12/08/2025

Blackfeet Buffalo Program is hosting a community feed today at our new building.
46 Gentle Street (Old Medicine Bear Shelter location)

11/22/2025

10/31/2025

Wishing you a safe and Happy Halloween from our 4 legged THPO employees

10/17/2025

👣👣👣👣👣

09/06/2025

High-altitude cultural surveys are important to the Blackfeet Nation because they document and protect sacred sites, traditional resources, and ancestral knowledge tied to the backbone of the world. These areas submit evidence we have been in this area since time in memorial.

Blackfeet THPO Traditional Cultural Specialist TCS Joe Wagner, Dakota Abee, Ty Old Chief and Seth Fenner has began a new journey of cave exploration on the reservation. Something that has never been explored before. We appreciate and applaud these TCS in creating this unique exploration for the Blackfeet Nation.

08/29/2025

Miss Jessie Jim (Chelan), being made an honorary member of the Blackfeet Nation of Montana - 1926

{Note: Jessie Jim was the daughter of the Chelan Chief known as Long Jim & Mrs. Annie Jim. At the time of this photo, Miss Jessie Jim had been recently crowned Princess American ll by the National Indigenous Congress Beauty Pageant in Spokane, Washington.}