Keywords Native Tribes

Because of the tribe's large size, the Peigan eventually divided into 2 tribes, although they often travelled together and were so intermingled that a clear division was impossible. The population of the 2 groups ranged between 3000 and 5000 persons, reaching a low of 2500 after the 1837 smallpox epidemic. In 1870 the population of the southern tribe was 3240 and the northern tribe 720. The Peigan (Pikuni) were a nomadic, buffalo-hunting tribe with complex religious and warrior societies. Their enemies included the Crow, Shoshoni, Nez Percé, DAKOTA and ASSINIBOINE tribes.

In 1855 the Peigan were prominent signers of a treaty with the Americans, but by 1877 the southern group had already settled on a reservation in Montana, so only the northern tribe signed Treaty No 7 with the Canadian government. They selected a reserve near Pincher Creek, Alberta. In later years the southern tribe adopted the official title of Blackfeet Indians of Montana, and those in Canada simply called themselves Peigan (Pikuni).

Their reserve provides some opportunities for farming and ranching, although the band has faced the common problems of integration and disruption of their social and cultural life (see INDIAN RESERVE). Efforts have been made to establish small industries on the reserve, and many Peigan have sought employment away from the area. By 1996 the population of the reserve in Canada had grown to 2907 persons (up from 2000 in 1986).

See also NATIVE PEOPLE: PLAINS and general articles under NATIVE PEOPLE.

Bison or Buffalo, Uses of the
This drawing shows how completely the Plains Indians such as the Blackfoot, Blood, Dakota Peigan and Sarcee depended on the bison (artwork by Gordon Miller).

Chief Bull Plume
A North Piegan Blackfoot chief in traditional dress. The black painted stripes on his buckskin leggings refer to his war record (courtesy Glenbow Archives).

Peigan Lodges
In southern Alberta (photo by E.S Curtis, courtesy Library and Archives Canada/C-19983).

Author HUGH A. DEMPSEY

Suggested Reading
Hugh A. Dempsey, Indian Tribes of Alberta (1979).

Links to Other Sites
Encyclopedia of Canada's Peoples
The website for the "Encyclopedia of Canada's Peoples." Click on the links for feature articles about Canada's many multicultural communities, access to their extensive digital archives collection, learning modules, and much more. From "Multicultural Canada."

Four Directions Teachings
Elders and traditional teachers representing the Blackfoot, Cree, Ojibwe, Mohawk, and Mi’kmaq share teachings about their culture. Animated graphics visualize each of the oral teachings. This website also provides biographies of participants, transcripts, and extensive learning resources for students and their teachers. In English with French subtitles.