Battle of the Belly River Project Seeks to Amplify Niitsitapi Voices
Anyone interested in contributing to the project can contact Camina Weasel Moccasin (Ikinainiahkii, Gently Singing), Indigenous Curator at the Galt Museum via email at camina.weaselmoccasin@galtmuseum.com or by phone at 403.320.3838.
The Battle of the Belly River is a significant event that happened between the Blackfoot People and a group of Crees in 1870. The Galt Museum & Archives | Akaisamitohkanao’pa, in partnership with Lethbridge College, Reconciliation Lethbridge and the City of Lethbridge Indigenous Relations Office, are embarking on a project that will focus on and highlight Niitsitapi knowledge and perspectives of the event.
Although there have been three publications on the events of this day (1966, 1997, and 2020), all of these publications are a telling of the story from a settler/colonial perspective.
“It’s important to centre Blackfoot Peoples’ experiences in the retelling of historical events,” says Camina Weasel Moccasin, Indigenous Curator for the Galt Museum & Archives | Akaisamitohkanao’pa. “We are looking to engage in a more meaningful way with the Niitsitapi community to develop a new project that better explains this significant event.”
In order to focus on the Niitsitapi voices that have been ignored in the past, the Galt will engage with Elders and Knowledge Keepers from the Blackfoot communities about this specific event. In addition to this, the Galt is encouraging community members and families to share any stories that have been passed down. Some families may even have items/artifacts from the event that they have been safe keeping for the family. The Galt Museum is very interested in photographing these items and hearing the story that is associated with them.
“We believe this project will continue efforts toward reconciliation and relationship building by informing residents of the impact the battle had on the development of Lethbridge,” explains Darrin Martens, CEO for the Galt Museum. “Being able to work with our partners at Lethbridge College, Reconciliation Lethbridge and the City of Lethbridge Indigenous Relations Office is helping to strengthen those community connection as we work towards reconciliation.”
History and knowledge of the battle continue to live on in the communities of the Blackfoot People. Many families have stories of their ancestors’ exploits and some families may even have artifacts that were used during the battle that day. The museum emphasizes that anything shared will remain the physical and intellectual property of the families and the Niitsitapi communities.
The Galt Museum would be honoured to recognize the family history related to the Battle of the Belly River. Anyone interested in contributing to the project can contact Camina Weasel Moccasin (Ikinainiahkii, Gently Singing), Indigenous Curator at the Galt Museum via email at camina.weaselmoccasin@galtmuseum.com or by phone at 403.320.3838.