any times, during cultural events and public presentations, there is a need to have special songs of societies, flag songs, family songs, etc.

Men such as you see in this photo are responsible for rendering those songs. Chief Earl Old Person is one of the Blackfeet who have been gifted with the knowledge of them. These songs are used in honorings, giveaways, recognition of society members, and respect for veterans.

The men are, left to right: Ted Williamson, who currently [1998] serves on the Blackfeet tribal business council. Archie St. Goddard, who has served on the Blackfeet tribal business council. Earl Old Person, chief and chairman of the Blackfeet tribal business council. Paul Old Chief, who works for the Blackfeet tribe, and is a member of the Black Lodge Soiciety, of which his father is the oldest member. Kenneth Old Person, who works for the Blackfeet Community College, and is a member of the Rough Riders Society.

Societies such as the Black Lodge and Rough Riders are two of the societies that were established in the 1940s and 50s, so that the people could maintain some of their cultural ways. The need to establish these was a result of the punishings, denials of government entities, religious orders to turn Indian people against their beliefs and ways. The societies open an acceptable way for our people to continue being Blackfeet and respecting their own ways and identities.

The Black Lodge Society, in particular, was initiated in the 1950s by four old men, Paul Old Chief, John Tatsey, Louie Redhead, and Joe Morning Gun. They were responsible for the retaining of songs and dances, by simply committing their time, knowledge and effort , as most of the more religious societies were no longer active, due to hardships placed upon them by the groups mentioned earlier, and by reservation life itself.

Within the past two decades the Black Lodge Singers, a drum group, has established itself as one of the most requested drum groups in the world, at Indian gatherings. When the group began, the leader approached the eldest Black Lodge Society member for use of this name. No photo is available at this time, but the drum group consists mainly of Blackfeet who reside in White Swan, Washington.

--Joyce Spoonhunter; 1998

For more about the Blackfeet Nation, see TrailTribes.org