In Canada and the United States there are many First Nations languages that are part of the Algonquian language family, all with varying states of health. Although these languages share many characteristics of the Algonquian language family, the cultures, belief systems, and geographic locations of their respective nations differentiate them. Being shaped by the landscape, cultures and spirituality of First Nations, the language brings speakers closer to their land and traditions, while reaffirming their identity as First Peoples. Using the Blackfeet Nation to further explore this concept, this article will show that while the language unites the culture, spirituality, traditions and land of the First Nations, as well as their identity, each of these essential components maintains and revitalizes the language . most commonly as Blackfeet or Blackfoot, many refer to themselves as Nitsitapiksi (Ni-tsi-ta-pi-ksi), the "true people", a term used by the Blackfoot to also refer to all the first peoples of the Americas (The Blackfoot Gallery Committee, 2013, 11). The term Niitsipoiyksi is used to refer to those who are “those who speak the real language”, i.e. Blackfoot, but can also mean those who speak their Aboriginal language (The Blackfoot Gallery Committee, 2013, 11). The Blackfeet Peoples are made up of three distinct nations: Kainai, Piikuni, and Siksika. Although this is how some Blackfoot literature refers to the Nations, it is still common to hear these Nations refer to Blood Nation for the Kainai, Peigan (Canada) or Blackfeet (United States) for the Piikuni, and Blackfoot or Northern Blackfoot for the Siksika (The Blackfoot Gallery C...... middle of sheet ...... placed in the Blackfoot which led to social breakdown within communities, such as alcoholism, depression and violence, which further alienated many Blackfoot from their culture and language (Bastien, 2004). Since much of what has been written here has focused on Blackfeet culture and how it was influenced by settlers, the language will now be discussed in more depth to further illustrate. how it is influenced.Works CitedBastien, B. (2011).Nitsitapiisinni (2nd ed.). Ontario: Firefly Books.Tovias, B. (2011). Colonialism on the Plains: Blackfeet Settlement a Cultural Transformation, 1870-1920. Portland, Oregon: Sussex Academic Press.
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