Days of the Piikani: Honoring Ninasstikoo 2026

September 22–24, 2026 Days of the Piikani

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.

Agenda

Tuesday, September 22

8:00 AM–11:00 AM
Star School Airport
Eco Flights Over Chief Mountain with Cultural Guides (BHS & BHA)

10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Student Commons
Star Lab & Star Stories
Presented by Treyace YellowOwl

12:00 PM–1:00 PM
Student Commons
Lunch
Provided by Piikani Studies

1:00 PM–2:00 PM
Student Commons
Interactive BFCC Campus Facilities Master Plan Presentation
Presented by Melissa Weatherwax

1:00 PM–3:00 PM
USDA Building & Knowledge Carriers Lodge (KCL), Room [TBD]
Learning Stations & Crafts

Wednesday, September 23

8:00 AM–9:00 AM
Star School Airport
Eco Flights Continue (BFCC & BHS)
Breakfast provided by Piikani Studies

9:00 AM–11:00 AM
Student Commons
Ninasstikoo Medicine Wheel
Presented by Knowledge Carriers Lodge

12:00 PM–1:00 PM
Student Commons
Lunch
Provided by KCL

1:00 PM–3:00 PM
Student Commons
Blackfoot Confederacy: Keepers of the Rocky Mountains
Presented by Dr. Tarissa Spoonhunter

Thursday, September 24

8:00 AM–9:00 AM
Student Commons
Breakfast
Provided by Helen Augare

9:00 AM–11:00 AM
Student Commons
Blackfoot Relationship with the Land
Presented by Eldon Weasel Child

11:00 AM–12:00 PM
Student Commons
Piikani Winter Count as Living Juridical Technologies
Presented by Elodie Goodman

12:00 PM–1:00 PM
Student Commons
Lunch
Provided by RDI

1:00 PM–1:30 PM
Student Commons
Traditional Blackfoot Dolls
Presented by Debbie Kelman and Evelyn Kelman

1:30 PM–2:00 PM
Student Commons
Ninasstikoo Grasslands Research Team
Presented by Nico Matallana, Kristy Augare, Mack Momberg, Justine Trombley, and Julia Trombley

2:15 PM–3:00 PM
Student Commons
First Native American Astronaut John Herrington

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.