03/22/2025
The Blackfeet Nation, like many Indigenous tribes, had a deeply integrated and balanced relationship between the genders, one that was often misunderstood or misrepresented by early European explorers and anthropologists. One of the key aspects of Blackfeet culture that was frequently overlooked by outsiders was the powerful and central role of women within their community, particularly in relation to the buffalo hunt and their contributions to the tribe’s survival.
As Susan Webber, a Montana state representative and educator at Blackfeet Community College, explains, the traditional role of Blackfeet women was far from subordinate. Contrary to the Western notion of women being "behind" men, Blackfeet women were considered equal partners and essential to the survival of the community. The concept of “sits beside him” reflected a relationship of mutual respect and power, where women were men’s greatest support and, in many ways, their greatest asset.
The Buffalo Hunt and Gender Interdependence:
One of the most striking examples of the interdependence between men and women in Blackfeet society is the buffalo hunt. While men were responsible for hunting the bison, women played a crucial role in transforming the animal for practical use. After the hunt, it was the women who processed the buffalo hides—an arduous task that required considerable skill and physical endurance. The process of tanning a single buffalo hide could take two full days of work. Once the hide was prepared, it could be used for a variety of essential items, from clothing to shelter, such as the construction of tipis.
The Tipi: A Symbol of Women’s Work and Strength:
Constructing the tipi, the home and center of Blackfeet life, was also an endeavor deeply tied to the efforts of women. It required the laborious task of assembling large wooden poles, some as long as 20 feet, and covering them with buffalo hides. A typical tipi cover weighed nearly 100 pounds and could require up to 14 buffalo hides. Women were also responsible for preparing the hides used in the production of these structures, showcasing their strength and importance within the community. The Blackfeet woman’s role was not limited to her labor in the household, but also extended to her vital function in the tribe’s mobility and survival in the vast plains.
Tanning, Crafting, and Daily Life:
The art of tanning buffalo hides was one of the most respected skills among Blackfeet women. Women were judged by their ability to process the hides, with some able to tan as many as 25 hides in a season. These hides were transformed into parfleches (rawhide containers) used for storing food and sacred items. Parfleches, made from rawhide, were durable, and when folded and sealed properly, could protect food from pests and spoilage. Additionally, the rawhide was fashioned into a variety of other useful items, such as moccasin soles, drum heads, and rattles.
The Role of Blackfeet Women in Child-Rearing:
In addition to their contributions to the tribe’s sustenance and material culture, Blackfeet women also played a pivotal role in raising children. The Blackfeet mother was at the heart of family life, caring for the young and ensuring the survival of the next generation. In the artwork Seeking New Hunting Grounds, a central figure is shown riding alongside her children, with a toddler wrapped in front and an infant carried on her back in a cradleboard. The cradleboard was a key aspect of child-rearing for Blackfeet mothers, made from willow branches and later wood, and often lined with fur or moss for comfort. These boards were designed to keep babies secure while allowing mothers to continue their daily tasks, including hunting and gathering.
Legacy and Empowerment:
Historically, Blackfeet women were vital to the survival and prosperity of their tribe, and their legacy is one of strength, resilience, and self-sufficiency. The roles they held were not passive but were essential to the day-to-day operations of the tribe, from the practical work of tanning hides and constructing homes to the nurturing of children and maintaining the cultural fabric of the community. While early explorers may have misrepresented their roles, the true balance and power of Blackfeet women remain central to the tribe’s history and identity.
Through their labor, ingenuity, and wisdom, Blackfeet women contributed not only to their families but to the broader wellbeing of their community—showing that the value of women in Native American societies was far more dynamic than the reductive stereotypes imposed by outsiders.
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