From The Land Of The Blackfeet

Canyon Records 6095-C

Canyon Records
Blackfeet Singers, Browning Montana (Pat Kennedy, Edwin Calfrobe, Victor Surechief, Thomas NorRunner)

It is generally believed that the Blackfeet people were not native to their present home, but were originally one of the Eastern Woodland tribes. Their language belongs to the Algonquin family of languages - which has its core in the Easter Woodland of North America.

The Blackfeet are thought to have begun migrating westward over three hundred years ago from somewhere north of the Great Lakes. They came along the Saskatchewan River Valley into the Great Plains.

It was a new world, and a new way of life. These people liked at once the wide open plains, and adapted quickly to them. In time they were able through trade to obtain horses, guns, metal utensils, beads, and cloth. They became highly skilled horsemen, developed beautiful arts and crafts, and maintained a strong family life. Their religious observances included many carefully prescribed rituals and ceremonies. Some of these traditional religious ceremonies are still preserved and observed today, and exist side-by-side with other church affiliated practices.

Today about half the tribal enrollment lives on the tribal lands in Western Montana; the others mostly live and work in the industrial cities of the Northwest. In Browning, Montana - headquarters of the Blackfeet Tribe - Some tribal members work in tribal or government jobs, or own small tourist-oriented businesses. Those who live on the rural lands neighboring Browning appear much like other rural Americans, some in modern homes, some in less modern. Some own substantial herds of cattle, breed horses, or grow crops, while others work for nearby farmers and ranchers.

In summer, Browning greets a steady stream of tourists as these pass through to Glacier National Park or other nearby attractions. Some of these stop off each July in Browning for the North American Indian Days Celebration. For three or four great days, this reminder of the historic culture of the Indian people. The Blackfeet people host the celebration for relatives, friends, tourists.

At the celebration there is much of interest to do and see, but most of the attention goes to the fascinating stick games with their enthusiastically singing players - or to the pow-wow dancing in the dance arbor. Here dancers from the entire Northern Plains in tribal costumes hear the call of the drum to 'dance Indian.' There are Crow costumes from Southern Montana, Cree from Canada, Sioux from the Dakota, Chippewa from Minnesota, Salish and Kootenai from the neighboring reservation, and Bloods (close kin of the Blackfeet) from across the Canadian border. There are the long feathered war bonnets of the chieftains or old men. The giant plumed bustles of the young fancy ware dancers turn like a colorful kaleidoscope. Interspersed among the, women dancers appear in heirloom 19th century beaded deerskins, hauled out of family chests for the occasion. Little children beginners appear in colorful cloth costumes made by their parents, who encourage them to partake and grow in their cultural traditions.

With the end of the weekend comes the end of the celebration. The tipis are taken down and stored, and the beautiful Indian costumes come off to be replaced by the clothes of modern America.
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These songs were recorded in July, 1972 at Browning, Montana at the time of the summer celebration. They were recorded away from the Pow-Wow area itself, purposely. They were recorded without the colorful sounds of the Pow-Wow as background, without the bells, or the larger drum group usually present during an actual dance. Reason: For the most part, these are the songs of Pat Kennedy, and this type of recording was done to emphasize the SONGS THEMSELVES.

Pat Kennedy, in his everyday life, is a farmer-rancher. As a singer and composer of songs, he is known by singing groups throughout the Northern Plains and Canada. Pat has composed hundreds of songs, which he had to retain mentally, until the day of the portable tape recorder. Now, his recorder is never too far away from him - so if he's on horseback, in his car, camping at pow-wow, and he feels the inspiration for a song, he can record it and have it on file for reference.

Play song

Name

Performed by

Description

Native Words

Translation

Notes

Fast Grass Dance Blackfeet
Circle Dance Blackfeet
Owl Dance Blackfeet
Slow Grass Dance Blackfeet
Circle Dance Blackfeet
Fast And Fancy Blackfeet
Owl Dance Blackfeet
Fast Grass Dance Blackfeet
Grass Song Blackfeet
Grass Song Blackfeet
Short Dance Blackfeet