Summer History Conference

[Rrlapier at AOL.COM]

NEWS RELEASE July 26, 2010
Piegan Institute, P.O. Box 909,  Browning, Montana, 59417
 

Imitaiks: When the Spirit Moved with Us
 
Imitaiks or dogs played an important role in Blackfeet society for  
generations. Before the horse they assisted the Blackfeet in a wide variety of  
ways. Dogs helped with protection of the community from other humans and  
animals. They helped haul household objects when the community was on the move.  
They helped with gathering food and wood. They helped with hunting. Some  
scholars argue that they were probably used as a trade item between 
communities  and as a sign of wealth before the horse. 
 
The date of when dogs first became domesticated is open to debate. However, 
 most scholars now agree that dogs were probably domesticated in the Middle 
East  about 15,000 years ago. They argue that dogs were probably 
domesticated before  other useful animals, such as cows and horses. They also argue 
that within a  short period of time dogs and humans made their way to North 
American and the  Northern Great Plains. 
 
Imitaiks also play an important role in Blackfeet mythology and history.  
Because of their role in mythology and their role in daily life they were 
valued  by the community. Over time though, their value has diminished and they 
are  increasingly treated with less esteem than in previous times. 
 
Imitaiks is a one-day conference sponsored by the Piegan Institute which  
will explore and debate the evolution and role of dogs in Blackfeet history. 
The  conference is free and open to the public and will be held on Friday, 
August 20,  2010 at the Cuts Wood School  from 10am to 4pm. Presenters will 
include:  tribal elder Martin Eagle Child (Kainai)  and Professor Eldon 
Yellow Horn  (North Pikuni) from Simon Fraser University.
 
Piegan Institute is a private non-profit organization on the Blackfeet  
reservation which sponsors programs dedicated to researching, promoting and  
preserving the Blackfeet language.  
 
For more information on the conference or directions to Cuts Wood School  
please call Rosalyn LaPier at 406-338-3518 or _rrlapier at pieganinstitute.org_ 
(mailto:rrlapier at pieganinstitute.org) .  
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