The Blackfeet Nation is divided into three divisions which make up four tribes, one in the United States in northern Montana and three in Canada in southern Alberta. They share a historical and cultural background but have separate leadership. They are the Siksika (which means "Black Foot"), the Bloods (also called Kainai or Akainawa), the Peigan (variously spelled Piikani, Pikani, Pikuni, Piegan, or Pikanii) in Canada, and the Blackfeet Nation in the US which are mostly of Peigan decent, living on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana.
Famous Blackfeet chiefs and medicine men include Old Woman (a.k.a. Ermine Horses), Captain Jack, Yellow Horse, Crowfoot (Isapo-muxika), White Calf, Lame Bull, Heavy Runner, Little Plume, Generous Women, White Calf, Iron Shirt (Mehkskehme Sukahs), Three Suns, Two Guns , Red Crow (a.k.a.Sitting White Buffalo, Mi'k ai'stowa), Black Bear, Shot-on-Both-Sides, Crop Eared-Wolf, Mountain Chief (Ninastoko), and Earl Old Person.
Although "Blackfeet" is the official name of this tribe, the word wasn't plural in their language. Blackfoot comes from the word "Siksika," which means "black foot." It refers to the dark color moccasins worn by the people. It was changed by the US government, and some of the Blackfeet of Browning, Montana especially, resent this label and still prefer to be called Blackfoot. Most people today use the terms Blackfoot and Blackfeet interchangably to mean the same group of people.
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