Blackfeet Society
The Blackfeet are split up into families, and within each family is a band. A family would form a band with several other families. These bands could be as small as 9 or 10 lodges with about eighty people in each, or they could be as large as 30 lodges with more than 250 men, women, and children. (King, 2010, p. 15). The clans would live and travel together and any person who did not get along with his or her relations was free to move to another band’s camp. They were welcomed within camp as long as they respected the rules.
Similarly, Blackfoot marriage was not complicated. Adult Blackfeet men were able to choose their marriage partners and would have to receive permission from the woman’s father by showing his skills as a hunter or warrior (Gibson, 2003, p. 19). Next, the couple would exchange gifts of horses or clothes and would then be considered married. The woman would move to her husband’s, which often would require her to leave her own family.
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Leadership
Each band would elect or acknowledge someone as their band leader. These individuals were careful to listen to everyone’s advice, opinions and experience and often would seek counsel with the elders of the village (The Blackfeet Gallery Committee, 2001, p. 21). The bands would acknowledge different leaders in different situations, depending on if the individual had particular skills or experience.
“In the older days, to become chief, he didn’t’ say anything—people noticed him for what he did. You have to live it before you are recognized. You have to practice leadership qualities. First you have to be a warrior, a provider, generous. The overall Chief is recognized by all the clans—that is the way a person becomes chief.” –Pete Standing Alone, Kainai (The Blackfeet Gallery Committee, 2001, p. 22). .
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