Niitsitapi Values
‘The Real People’
Written by Celeste Halliwell
“A ‘real person’ Niitá’pitapi is one who is self-disciplined, responsible, honest, appreciative, wise, and compassionate.” The Blackfoot people believe that understanding and integrating Niitsitapi values and teaching will be reflected in peoples conduct and will be observed in everyday lives (Crop Eared Wolf, 2006).
Blackfoot elders describe Niitsitapi values as those that make for a good life and an orderly life. Values include spirituality, compassion, respect, generosity, courage, achievement, balance and harmony, community, thankfulness, and wisdom. All have been eloquently described in Anabel Crop Eared Wolf’s graduate Thesis as follows.
Atsimmi’takssini - Prayer, Spirituality: A daily ritual performed to ask guidance from the Creator
Atsimmi’takssini is having a sense of wonder with respect to the beauty and the intelligence of creation. Once a person comes into sacredness, they realize the purpose of their being and gain perspectives about their lives; relationships, traditions, ceremonies and stories.
Kimmapiiyipitssini - Compassion, Caring, Concern, Love, Kindness, Empathy: Encourage a compassionate lifestyle.
A person with compassion is willing to help others as they would their own children. Compassion and kindness are practiced for all of life. Compassion is central to all relationships.
Innákootsiiyssini - Respect: Respect with the land, all of Creation, the Spirit World, the Source of Life.
Respect includes avoidance of certain kinds of speech as well as avoidance of physical presence to another(s). There is a general respect for all, especially the elderly and the young.
Ááhapssini - Generosity: Show generosity to family, clan, tribal members, and visitors from other tribes.
Generosity extends from having a sense of compassion with a commitment to a family and clan. It also enhances and maintains the standards and reputation for tribes’ accomplishments and generosity. Gift giving is an important expression of generosity.
Makámoo ‘tsitapiyssini - Truthfulness: Tell things as they happened or as they were told.
There is great disdain for those who embellish, exaggerate, or lie. Being straight forward is a desirable characteristic if used meaningfully.
Iikitapiiyssini - Courage: Have courage to deal with life’s challenges.
A courageous person has the ability to withstand and successfully deal with life’s challenges, whether they are emotional, spiritual, physical, or lived in combination.
Sao’ohkóómaimmohsin - Achievement: There is great pride in one’s hard work, independence, and personal appearance.
Achievement includes values of being a hard- working person, excelling, being outgoing and resourceful and not satisfied with doing nothing. There is also pride in attaining deep knowledge and becoming a good person.
Sapáátsima’pii - Harmony: Keep relationships harmonious and maintain positive relationships
Harmony has the existence of an orderly and peaceful situation. Relationships, customs and practices for the enhancement and maintenance of healthy relationships.
Ááhkowaitapiiyssini - Collectivity: All actions, decisions, and events have an impact on our people.
We must realize that everything we do and say can have an impact on our collectivity as a people and as a whole. Our way of life and that with the land. Our people are interdependent with each other
Ksimmatsiiyssini - Thankfulness: Thankfulness is a dimension of humility and respect arising from a sense of the sacred
Express thankfulness in your daily prayers and in their daily routine with outward expression of the abundance of nature and those they share the world with. Gratitude is also expressed with the elders who help to guide our lives.
Mokákssini - Wisdom: Understand experiences of your life to share with others.
Wisdom comes from gaining a deep understanding about your past experiences with your environment. All of the social, physical, emotional, and spiritual experiences need to continue through the generations.
“Compassion, wisdom and spirituality are all inter-related; spirituality is born of compassion and wisdom arises form both.” A fine person will live Niitsitapi Valued every day. One should be honest, selfless, and generous to help others, and provide guidance to set others into their course of life. A special acknowledgement has been made by the author, Anabel Crop Eared Wolf to the wonderful discussion by elders Andy Black Water, Rosie Day Rider, Wilton Good Striker, Louise Crop Eared Wolf and Rosie Red Crow to share their valuable information of the Niitsitapi Values. Building Brains Together recognizes the valuable resources and quality of Anabel’s Master of Arts Thesis provided to the University of Lethrbidge.
References
Crop Eared Wolf, A. (2006). Matsiyipaitapiiyssini: Kainai Peacekeeping and Peacemaking. Thesis Dissertation M.A. Department of Native American Studies. University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta Canada.