Days of the Piikani: Honoring Ninasstikoo 2026

September 22–24, 2026
Blackfeet Community College

Blackfeet Community College is proud to welcome our community to the 34th Annual Days of the Piikani, taking place September 22–24, 2026. This year’s gathering centers on “Honoring Ninasstikoo,” recognizing the enduring relationship between the Piikani people, our lands, and the knowledge and teachings carried forward through generations.

For more than three decades, Days of the Piikani has provided an opportunity for knowledge carriers, teachers, students, community members, researchers, and visitors to come together to share knowledge, stories, teachings, and perspectives.

This year, we are also excited to begin the gathering with a special Youth Day on September 22, creating an opportunity for young people to participate in cultural activities, learn from cultural guides, and connect with the land and teachings surrounding Ninasstikoo, Chief Mountain.

Tuesday, September 22 — Youth Day

Youth Day will provide opportunities for area youth to participate in cultural learning, hands-on activities, and experiences connected to Chief Mountain and the Blackfoot landscape.

8:00–11:00 a.m. — Eco Flights over Chief Mountain with Cultural Guides
BHS & BHA | Star School Airport

12:00–1:00 p.m. — Lunch
Provided by Blackfeet Partners

1:00–3:00 p.m. — Learning Stations
USDA Building

1:00–3:00 p.m. — Crafts
Knolwegdge Carriers Lodge Room (KCL)

Wednesday, September 23

8:00–9:00 a.m. — Eco Flights Continue
BFCC & HBS | Star School Airport
Breakfast provided

9:00–10:30 a.m. — Days of the Piikani Origin
Piikani Studies | Student Commons

10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — Ninasstikoo Medicine Wheel
Knowledge Carriers Lodge

12:00–1:00 p.m. — Lunch
Provided by KCL

1:00–3:00 p.m. — Blackfoot Confederacy Keepers of the Rocky Mountains
Dr. Tarissa Spoonhunter

Thursday, September 24

8:00–9:00 a.m. — Breakfast
Student Commons

9:00–11:00 a.m. — Siksikaitstapii Defined by the Environment and Blackfoot Energy
Eldon Weasel Child

11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — Piikani Winter Count as Living Juridical Technologies
Elodie Goodman

12:00–1:00 p.m. — Lunch

1:00–1:30 p.m. — Traditional Blackfoot Dolls
Debbie Kelman and Evelyn Kelman

1:30–2:15 p.m. — Ninasstikoo Grasslands Research Team
Nico Matallana, Kristy Augare, Mack Momberg, Justine Trombley, and Julia Trombley

Honoring Knowledge Across Generations

At the heart of Days of the Piikani is the opportunity to share knowledge across generations. By bringing together youth, students, elders, knowledge carriers, educators, researchers, and community members, we create space for teachings to be shared, questions to be asked, and relationships to grow.

This year’s focus on Ninasstikoo — Chief Mountain reminds us of the deep connection between our people and the land. Through cultural activities, presentations, research, and conversation, we invite our community to come together to learn, listen, and honor the knowledge connected to this important place.

We welcome youth, students, families, community members, educators, researchers, and all those interested in learning to join us for the 34th Annual Days of the Piikani.

For More Information

Treyace Yellowowl
Blackfeet Community College
406-338-5441 ext. 2247
18treyace.yo@bfcc.edu

Come learn. Come listen. Come share. Come honor Ninasstikoo.