Blackfoot Piegan War-bonnet and Coup-stick, Edward S. Curtis, 1910

This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE!

Today, the Piegan Indians, or Pikuni branch of the Blackfeet Indians, numbering about 6,000, primarily reside on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana. Part of the Blackfeet Confederacy, the word “Piegan” or “Pikuni” means “people having badly dressed robes.”  When white settlers began to push westward, the Piegan were the southernmost tribe of the Blackfeet, roaming through the Rocky Mountains on the south side of Marias River of Montana and along  both banks of the Missouri River. Despite their name, they were known for their beautiful craftwork designs in their tepees, clothing, weapons and riding equipment. Most exceptional were their war bonnets. Their reservations was established in 1855 when they were estimated to have numbered about 2,500. Like other tribes who were moved to reservations, their population feel to just a little more than 2,000 by the turn of the century.

More Blackfoot Photos Next Page

Also See:

The Blackfoot Indians - "Real" People of Montana

Myths & Legends of the Blackfeet

Return to the Native Americans

Return to Vintage Photographs