Museum Exhibit Highlights Stories of Stolen Kainai Children

In addition to Survivors of the Indian Residential School (IRS), survivors of other colonial school systems the Canadian government initiated and implemented for over a century and a half also deserve recognition. As a member of the Kainai (Blood Tribe) of the Blackfoot Confederacy in Treaty 7 territory in Alberta, Tiffany Prete’s research has involved analyzing the educational policies behind the IRS and other colonial schooling models.

ArticleTiffany PreteDecember 5, 2023Galt Museum & ArchivesResidential, Residential Schools, Kainai, Reconciliation, Truth and Reconciliation, Indigenous History, IndigenousComment

Making History Today

Oki. A relatively small Blackfoot word—however it is packed with meaning and cultural significance. The word can mean many things in English including: ‘hello’, ‘greetings’ and ‘welcome’.

ArticleDarrin J Martens Aaká óóhkotoki (Many rocks)June 16, 2022Galt Museum & ArchivesMuseums, Lethbridge, Reconciliation, Gathering Place, Inclusion, Mission, Vision, Indigenous, Oki, TipiComment

The Galt’s Re-Centre and Re-Define Plan

The Board and staff critically reflected on the services the museum and fort provide to the community and examined new opportunities.

ArticleDarrin J Martens Aaká óóhkotoki (Many rocks)April 5, 2022Galt Museum & ArchivesStrategic Plan, Museums, Lethbridge, Reconciliation, truth, Redefining, Gathering Place, Inclusion, Mission, Vision, BoardComment

The Legacy of Canada’s Residential School System

Reconciliation is a process of understanding and accountability that can bridge the gap between Indigenous peoples and non-Indigenous Canadians. Here are some steps you can personally take to further the important work of reconciliation between Indigenous communities and allies

Article, Indigenous HistoryKalli Eagle SpeakerAugust 24, 2021Residential School, Niitsitapi, Treaty 7, Canada, Truth and Reconciliation, History, St. Mary's Residential School, Unmarked Graves, Reconciliation, City of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Southern AlbertaComment

The History of Canada’s Residential School System

Between 1880 and 1980, ten Residential Schools operated in our own backyard, or Treaty 7 lands. The impact of residential schools has caused generations of Indigenous youth to strive to relearn and preserve cultural ways of knowing as intergenerational victims.

Article, Indigenous HistoryKalli Eagle SpeakerAugust 10, 2021Galt Museum & ArchivesResidential School, Truth and Reconciliation, Reconciliation, Colonization, Canada, Treaty 7, Indigenous, Children, Childhood, Trauma, Assimilation, Lethbridge, Southern Alberta, History Comment

A Student At St. Mary’s Residential School

When Blanche Bruisedhead was 7, an RCMP Officer and priest threatened her parents with jail time if they didn’t send their daughter to St. Mary’s Residential School. Read Blanche’s account of her time at St. Mary’s.

Blackfoot and Blanche

Blanche Bruisedhead and her follow Niitsitapi students were forced to stop speaking Blackfoot at St. Mary’s Residential School. Learn about her experience learning English by force, and now teaching Blackfoot to students of all ages.

Indigenous History, ArticleBlanche BruisedheadApril 20, 2021Galt Museum & ArchivesBlanche, Blanche Bruisedhead, Language, Blackfoot language, Culture, Residential School, St. Mary's Residential School, Reconciliation, Lethbridge, Southern Alberta, NiitsitapiComment

Niitsitapi and Epidemics

The Niitsitapi, or Blackfoot people, have been hit repeatedly by epidemics. Rebecca Many Grey Horses shares her research about the impact of smallpox, measles, scarlet fever and the Spanish flu.