Who Are We

The Iron Shirt (Mi’kskimmii Soka’ Simmi) Culture and Heritage Society was incorporated as a non-profit organization about 7 years ago on the Piikani Nation. It began its formative planning on discussions of cultural responsibility for the Piikani future generations.

VISION:

The Society’s main purpose is to protect, preserve and promote Piikanissini, the way of life of the Akaa Piikani (the ancient Piikani people).

MISSION:

To continuously research, educate, guide and safeguard the traditional teachings of the Piikani Culture and Language.

Piikanissini

Piikanissini, the way of life of the Piikani, sets out the inherent values and principles of the Akaa Piikani, the ancient Piikani people.

The Akaa Piikani were a member of the Siksikatsiitapiwa, the Blackfoot People, comprised of Kainaiwa, Siksikawa, and Piikaniwa; the Siksikatsiitapiwa marked their Blackfoot territory since time immemorial by significant Blackfoot landmarks, in the north by the North Saskatchewan River, on the east beyond the Great Sand Hills, on the south by the Yellowstone River, on the west by the Continental Divide, the said territory given to the Siksikatsiitapiwa by Istipatahyopi, the Source of Life, to coexist with all his creation; the Siksikatsiitapiwa intergrated with the said territory through stories, songs, and ceremonies; and as a people, collaborated to maintain a distinct language, spirituality and culture, as well as, familial, economic, social and governmental relationships.

The Piikani were originally located in the Siksikatsiitapiwa territory in one geographic area, nevertheless, since the imposition of the international boundary, the Piikani have been geographically divided into two groups. The Aapatohsipiikani (North Piikani), located in Canada, and Amsskapippiikani (South Piikani) located in the United States.

The Aapatohsipiikani, also referred to as the Piikani for the purpose of this document, wish to maintain their unique language, spirituality and culture as a people, while sustaining their family and social relationships, and traditional governmental systems.

The Aapatohsipiikani further strive to enhance their lives as a people by advancing the political interests of the Piikani, which includes protecting the treaty and aboriginal rights of the people, and promoting education programs and economic interest that benefit the people. The Piikani, in their pursuit to complete such endeavors, will further strive to ensure that the values, principles and integrity of the Piikani is preserved in the process.

The Aapatohsipiikani or Piikani, in respect of the foregoing, make the following declaration:

WHEREAS the Piikani, descendants of the Akaa Piikani, are a member of the Siksikatsiitapiwa;

AND WHEREAS the Piikani, originally utilized specific areas within the territory of the Siksikatsiitapiwa; namely those marked on the north by the North High River, on the south east by the Little Bow River, on the south by the Kootenay River, on the west by the Great Divide;

AND WHEREAS the Piikani currently occupy lands on the Peigan Indian Reserve, in particular, those lands identified by the Sits Behind the Eagle Tail at Treaty No.7 as significant areas of the Piikani as marked by Crowlodge Creek, the Old Man River and the Porcupine Tails (Hills);

AND WHEREAS Piikani, although faced with many challenges as a people, have continually strived to maintain their language, spirituality, and culture distinct to Piikani, including their family and social relationships, and traditional governmental systems, while promoting political interests, economic interests and education programs that will enhance the lives of the Piikani people;

AND WHEREAS Piikani, in pursuit of all their endeavours, aspire to always uphold and incorporate the values, principles and integrity of the Piikani;

AND WHEREAS Piikani also continue the endeavour to maintain economic, social, and governmental relationships with the members of the Siksikatsiitapiwa;

AND WHEREAS Piikani, recognizing the First Nation governments are one of the three orders of government within Canada, will strive to maintain a stable relationship with the other orders of government that is based on principles of mutual respect, coexistence, and information sharing, and where applicable, one that is based on principles of collaboration and cooperation

NOW THEREFORE THE COUNCIL OF THE PIIKANI NATION, also known as the Peigan Nation, DO HEREBY DECLARE THE FOLLOWING:

  1. That the Piikani Nation will ensure that values, principles and integrity of the Piikani are upheld in the governance of the Piikani, including a commitment by the Council of the Piikani Nation, that the members of the Council and any officer of the Piikani Nation will uphold the principles expressed in this declaration titled “Piikanissini” for the betterment of the Piikani Nation and all members of the Piikani Nation.

  2. That the Piikani Nation will continually maintain the language, spirituality and culture distinct to the Piikani, including the family and social relationships, and traditional governmental systems.

  3. That the Piikani Nation will continually strive to enhance the lives of the Piikani by promoting political and economic interests, as well as education programs, that will enhance the lives of the Piikani people.

  4. That the Piikani Nation will continue to protect the interests of the Piikani in those lands and territory which are integral to the Piikani people.

  5. That the Piikani Nation will continue to exercise jurisdiction within the geographic boundaries of the Peigan Indian Reserve as established by treaty, and any such lands deem to be Peigan Indian Reserve lands; and to continue to exercise extra-territorial jurisdiction for the purpose of protecting the aboriginal and treaty rights of the Piikani Nation as guaranteed by treaty with Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, including any rights inherent to the Piikani Nation.

  6. That the Piikani Nation will continue to endeavour to maintain economic, social, and governmental relationships with the members of the Siksikatsiitapiwa.

  7. That the Piikani Nation affirms that First Nation governments are one of the three orders of government within Canada; and in that respect, the Piikani will strive to maintain a stable relationship with the other orders of government that is based on principles of mutual respect, coexistence, and information sharing, and where applicable, one that is based on principles of collaboration and cooperation.