Cosmology

Miohpokoiksi (The Lost Children, a.k.a. Pleiades) As Told By Dan Weasel Moccasin

Dan Weasel Moccasin tells a version of Miohpokoiksi or The Lost Children. This was originally recorded by the Alberta Science Centre.

They are people, they were from here, boy children. The buffalo came and were giving birth. The boys were walking around. One of them told his father to get him an unborn buffalo calf that was still in the belly of the mother buffalo. That is what he wanted, an unborn buffalo calf. That evening, when everyone got back, he asked his father if he was able to get him an unborn buffalo calf. The father replied, "No son, I was unable to get you an unborn buffalo calf."

Kititokiiaapii on Niitsitaapii Art

Marvin Calf Robe on Niitsitaapii art. Marvin was interviewed by Robert First Charger in connection with the Itsinikssiistsi Project with Kainai Studies Department.

Marvin Calf Robe was interviewed on Niitsitaapii art. Marvin talks about symbolism and various mediums used for art with the Blackfoot and their meaning. Marvin is a local artist mostly working in the performing art of pow-wow as well as making traditional art such as drums, rattles, etc.

Marvin Calf Robe talks about stories, history and his life

Marvin Calf Robe was interviewed for the Itsinikssiistsi project

Marvin Calf Robe talks about stories and their connection to the stars, religion, and everyday life. Marvin touches on history and his own life as well.

Miohpokoiksi (The Lost Children, a.k.a. Pleiades) As Recorded By David Duvall

This version of Miohpokoiksi (The Lost Children or Pleiades origin) was recorded by David Duvall of Aamsskapipiikani from an unknown elder for ethnographic work he was conducting with Clark Wissler. The story was published by the Trustees of the American Museum of Natural History, New York in a collection called, “Mythology of the Blackfoot Indians,” co-authored by Duvall and Wissler in 1908, and as Vol. 11, Part I of a series entitled Anthropological Papers of the American Museum of Natural History. This is a particularly important version of the story, in that it describes a drought brought upon the people by the Sun and Moon, and thereby offers clues for understanding the symbolism of representing the Pleiades as a Sun shape on the south ear of tipi designs, opposite the Moon-shaped representation of the constellation Ihkitsikammiksi. Both stories speak to an ancient Blackfoot climate science

The Bunched Stars

Kiitokiiaapii (Marvin Calf Robe) Tells Story Of Pawaksski

Kiitokiiaapii (Marvin Calf Robe) tells a version of the Pawaksski (Scarface) story that he grew up hearing from his grandfather Ed Calf Robe. The Pawaksski story is widely known as an explanation for the beginnings of Blackfoot spirituality. Within this story are the origins of many core elements of Blackfoot ceremony, including the sweatlodge

This is a video of Kiitokiiaapii (Marvin Calf Robe) telling a version of the Pawaksski (Scarface) story that he grew up hearing from his grandfather Ed Calf Robe. The Pawaksski story is widely known as an explanation for the beginnings of Blackfoot spirituality. Within this story are the origins of many core elements of Blackfoot ceremony, including the sweatlodge

Earl Willows tells the story of The Seven Stars

The story of The Seven Stars, as told by Earl Willows

A young lady was alone with her older sister, her brothers had gone hunting. The older lady told her younger sister to go hunt for birds. She did not know that her older sister was planning on killing her younger siblings. The younger sister became suspicious of her older sister's conduct and spied on her older sister. She saw her talking to an elk and a feather. She said, "If they hit this plume then they will be able to kill me."

Ihkitsikammiksi as Told by Makoyiipookaa

Makoyiipookaa (Bruce Wolf Child) tells a version of the classic Ihkitsikammiksi story

On 20 January 2010, Makoyiipookaa (Bruce Wolf Child) told a version of the classic Ihkitsikammiksi story for the Kainai Studies Department of Red Crow College. He told it first in Niitsi'powahsin, and then again in English

Earl Willows tells the story of Scarface (Pawaksski)

In this recording, Earl Willows tells a classic Blackfoot tale about Scarface, Pawaksski

In this recording, Earl Willows tells a classic Blackfoot tale about Scarface, Pawaksski

Alloisseus Crop Eared Wolf tells the story of Hairy Dog Tail

The Story of how the Evening Star came to be, as told by Alloisseus Crop Eared Wolf

It was during the Sundance, in the old days. There was a man who was a Chief. The Chief had a daughter. All the single men, would ask for her hand in marriage, but the daughter would refuse every one of the single men. There was no one that she would say "yes" too. The single men were very handsome and rich, but she would still refuse them. But there is one that would come during the night and would crawl into bed with her. She was involved with this one.