Siksikaitsitapi Project

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Oki (Welcome)

The Siksikaitisitapi or Blackfoot Confederacy is made up of four nations: Kainai – Blood Tribe, Piikani – North Peigan, Amskapi Piikani – South Peigan Blackfeet, and Siksika. The territory of the Siksikaitsitapi is located in the Northern Great Plains and goes from the North Saskatchewan River (north) to the Yellowstone River (south), from the Rockies (west) to the Great Sand Hills in Saskatchewan. There are approximately 24,000+ Siksikaitsitapi members. The Rural Routes to Climate Solutions (RR2CS) Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project (SAP) is an opportunity for Siksikaitsitapi members to highlight climate solutions that align with Blackfoot ways of knowing.

The project empowers Siksikaitsitapi members by providing a platform for them to explore and identify which climate solutions align with Blackfoot culture and ways of knowing. Using a culture-specific model of engagement, project activities are delivered with the appropriate cultural lens, to further a Nation-to-Nation relationship and to honour the spirit and intent of Truth and Reconciliation.

a Participant-Driven Process to Identify the Appropriate Solutions

Through community gatherings, workshops and field days and a variety of communications tools (podcast, articles, etc.), the Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project establishes a platform where Siksikaitsitapi members can collaborate, share experiences, and make collective decisions on two key issues:

  1. Identifying the climate solutions that align with Blackfoot culture.
  2. Determining how these culturally-aligned solutions can positively impact community health and food security in the Siksikaitsitapi.

Once the climate solutions that meet the criteria have been identified by project participants, the next step for the project will be to explore, discuss and determine how to accelerate the adoption rates of these solutions in the Siksikaitsitapi. Once again, it will be project participants who will come together to determine the best path forward for increasing adoption.

Learnings From Phase One

The first phase of the Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project (2021-2022) brought attention to the challenges surrounding on-Nation farming and ranching for Siksikaitsitapi members that we were unaware of prior to the initial launch of the project such as barriers created by the Indian Act or the challenges accessing financial capital to expand or start an agricultural operation.

Phase 1 also taught us the importance of addressing health concerns and food security in addition to exploring culturally appropriate land stewardship practices in agriculture. All of these learnings have been incorporated into the objectives of Phase 2, the Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project’s current phase.

Get involved by joining our talking circle

Imagine a future where the land and waters are as strong and resilient as the Siksikaitsitapi. Now, imagine your voice helping to make that future a reality. 

Rural Routes to Climate Solutions is inviting members of the Blackfoot Confederacy on November 20 to a Talking Circle — a chance to speak your truth and help guide solutions that reflect our connection to the land and our responsibility to future generations. Your voice, your stories and your knowledge can help create a path forward that honors both tradition and resilience. 

 
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Does this look interesting to you?

The Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project is seeking Blackfoot Knowledge Holders and Elders to join our advisory committee.
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