The Blackfoot language is important to the Blackfoot. It helps them understand their relationship with the rest of Creation and reinforces their values and beliefs.
Siksika, Kainai, Ammskaapipiikani, and Apatohsihpiikani all speak the Blackfoot language. Over time each has developed slight variations of speaking our language. Sometimes this means using different words for the same item. Other times the pronunciation of the same word is different. Still they are able to understand each other.
The Blackfoot almost lost their language when the government forced their children to go to residential schools. Today they are teaching their children Blackfoot in their own schools. The Blackfoot are trying to make their language strong again.
The Blackfoot language in this website uses the Kainai version for many of the words and concepts. We hope this will help preserve Blackfoot and encourage others to learn the language.
The Blackfoot language is structured very differently than English. Consequently, it is difficult to find exact translations for Blackfoot words. In addition, there are few widely accepted conventions for spelling. We have agreed upon the versions of the words that is presented here so that the non-Blackfoot speaker might gain some insight to our language and thus to our culture. We have chosen to hyphenate the syllables to help with the pronunciation.
Aapaiai |
Weasel with its coat in the white phase; ermine |
|---|---|
Aspikssinn |
Measles |
Ako-katssinn |
Circle camp; when all camp in one place |
Amsskaapipikani |
Southern Peigan |
Apatohsipikani |
Northern Peigan |
Ihtsi-pai-tapi-yopa |
Essence of All Life; Creator |
Ii-moh-ksi-so-ka-sii-ksi |
Redcoats |
Iinisskimm |
Buffalo calling stone |
Iinnii |
Buffalo (singular) |
Imitaa |
Dog |
Iniiksii |
Buffalo (plural) |
Ipiso-waahsa |
Morning Star |
Isttsikssaa-isskinaan |
Tuberculosis |
Kainai |
Many Leaders; also called the Bloods |
Katoyissa |
Blood clot |
Katoyissiksi |
Sweet Grass Hills (more properly, Sweet Pine Hills) |
Kinnonna |
Indian agent |
Kokomi-kisomm |
Moon |
Ksahkomi-tapiksi |
Earth beings |
Ksiistsi-komm |
Thunder |
Ksisk-staki |
Beaver |