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Blackfoot Buffalo
In-is'kim1-blessed, the shaman, kneeled upon
robes under a draped sky, unlaced his tobacco
bag and Na'pi2-worshipped for pis'kun3 fortune.
Early, he awakens and transformed---iinii4-head-
dressed, iinii-robed. Herdward he trailed, brethren-
shadowed, though Na'pi-guided. The horned beings
emerged, weed-chomping gracefully; they too
followed, but chutewardly, pis'kunwardly. Lurking,
his tribe sprung up, shouted, and wagged the
iinii beings over the precipice. Na'pi listened.
Rejoice! Aspen coals popped and blew air-warping
grays under a moapisakis5 spit roast. Peels
of atokis6 tanned under wives' strained fingers.
Ragged moccasins will be replaced, and trade
will bring alternative blankets from other tribes.
Na'pi once asked, "which animal is the most
nat-o'ye7?" then shortly after said, "the iinnii."
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Algonkian Blackfoot Words
1 I-nis'-kim - According to Blackfoot legend, this is the Buffalo stone; this small (usually fossil shell) stone
was said to give its possessor great power with buffalo. Reference: George Bird Grinnell, Blackfoot Lodge
Tales, pg. 193, Dec. 2005.
2 Na'pi - The supreme god of the Blackfoot natives, sometimes called the "Old Man". There is
speculation that "The Old" man and The Sun are one in the same. Reference: Frederick W. Hodge,
Handbook of American Indians, "Blackfeet Religion", 1906
3 Pis'kun - A deep-kettle used in a hunt (or a more accurate translation suggests "deep-red-kettle") which
was a large corral, or enclosure meant to sustain buffalo. Above the Pis'kun would be a bluff, and two
long lines of rock piles or brush led into the trap. Reference: (Hodge "Blackfeet Hunting Customs")
4 Iinii - Buffalo.
5 Moapisakis - Thigh
6 Atokis - Animal skin, hide, or pelt.
7 Nat-o'ye - Of the sun, possessing power from the sun. In Blackfoot legend, the Sun asked which animal
possessed the most Nat-o'ye, and he answered himself with buffalo. Reference: (Grinell "Origin of the
Medicine Lodge")
