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The Blackfoot or Siksika are one of the main native nations which lived and hunted on the prairies. They lived in Alberta and Montana and were related to the Blood and Arapaho. Like many other plains native groups, they lived close to the rocky mountains in order to find protection from extreme winters on the prairies. Without horses they had to use ingenuity to survive in a abundant but hostile environment.

The main food source was the buffalo and over the centuries they had developed a highly structured system of hunting these large powerful beasts. The Blackfoot would wait for groups of buffalo to wander into a particular area close to a cliff which is know today as a buffalo jump. They would then set the prairie grass on fire in certain places that would force the buffalo to stampeded in an opposite direction. By strategically lighting these fires as the buffalo picked up speed and forcing them down a route which led to the edge of the cliff, the buffalo ran over the cliff and tumbled 20 to 100 feet down the rock face and were either killed or badly wounded at the foot of the cliff. Those still alive were quickly killed by some of the Blackfoot at the foot of the cliff - usually women and young men. This allowed them to kill dozens of buffalo and secure food, clothing, shelter (tepee covering), tools and weapons for the upcoming harsh winter. In the process of burning the grass to force the buffalo towards the cliffs and following them, the Blackfoot got the black ashes on their feet and moccasins. They always seemed to have Blackfeet and hence the first explorers named them the Blackfoot.

This traditional way of life changed forever with the introduction f the horse. The horse, which was not indigenous to the America's, had escaped from the Spanish explorers and settlers in Mexico and wild herds had developed, grew and spread quickly throughout western North America. The domestication and utilization of these animals for transportation, hunting, food if required and pulling or carrying belongings enable the Blackfoot to move onto the plains in a more extensive authoritative manner then ever before. With the horses their capability to support larger grew dramatically and the Blackfoot nation increased dramatically. In 1772 Matthew Cocking left York Factory and travelled west. He made contact with the Blackfoot near Calgary where his narrative states "Came to 200 tents of Archithinue Natives, pitched in two rows, and an opening in the middle; where we were conducted to the Leader's tent; which was, at one end, large enough to contain fifty persons; where he received us seated on a clear [white] Buffalo skin, attended by 20 elderly men. He made signs for me to sit down on his right hand: which I did. Our Leader set on several grand-pipes, and smoked all round, according to their usual custom: not a word was yet spoke on either side. Smoking being over, Buffalo flesh boiled was served round in baskets of a species of bent, and I was presented with 10 Buffalo tongues."

The Blackfoot nation suffered from their contact with the whites through the devastating effects of disease and the penetration of the alcoholism throughout their society. With the over hunting of the buffalo and disappearance of food sources, the Blackfoot became dependent upon Canadian government help and eventually were forced into accepting a treaty and relocation onto a reservation.

After much struggle and abuse the Blackfoot have emerged from the breakdown of their social order with one of the most organized, efficient native nations in Canada.