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The Kainai (originally known as the Weasel people – A pai sti tapi) of south-western Alberta, also known as the Blood, have always been known as skilled artists and creative crafts people. The early explorers and fur traders noticed the elaborate colorful, attractive designs on their clothing. Clothing, weapons, tools and even the most common household objects were also adorned with their decorative arts.
Like all First Nations, the Kainai learned to adapt European made materials to use in their arts and crafts. Yet they kept the traditional manner despite the alien origin of these materials. Although the arts and crafts of other bands are similar, differences in detail giving them a distinct tribal character. Even each clan division within the bands had distinctive pattern characteristics in its beading designs, craft works, songs and artists. Each unique work tells a story.
The late Leo Day Chief, an elder and a talented artist from the Weasel Tribe, is the Great-Great Grand Son of Thunder Chief. He has created, in the traditional manner, a collection consisting of approximately 50 ceremonial and traditional items. Each piece is authentic and has an oral history. The sharing of a large family history by the Day Chief (Thunder Chief) family has been instrumental in securing significant additional Plains Culture Materials from both the Glenbow Museum (Calgary) the Williams Family (Kainai) as well as several smaller accessions attributed to the Blackfoot community.
The collection represents the history of the Kainai, and describes Leo’s family history, and his ancestor’s and spiritual path. The Blackfoot objects range from ceremonial to traditional items. The collection preserves traditional and cultural beliefs through such artifacts and oral legends.
The collection resides as the Ksiitsikominaa -Thunder Chief Gallery at Fort Whoop-Up National Historic Site in Lethbridge, Alberta.
“Please keep in mind that these objects are replicas – although people have approached me to share their experience with this collection and how they felt a presence during a tour. From my point of view, I can honestly say that these items deliver a strong message, and yes, on occasion, I would notice and feel a presence as well. In my imagination, I connect it to Thunder Chief himself, as this story is about him and his family.” – Leo Day Chief
