Event
Native America Speaks - Darnell and Smokey Rides At The Door
Fee:
Free.Location:
Apgar Nature Center (pathway east of the campstore in Apgar Village), Lake McDonald ValleyDates & Times
Date:
Time:
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Type of Event
Description
Members of the Blackfeet Nation and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes share personal knowledge of their history and culture as part of the Native America Speaks program.
This program began in 1982 and is the longest running Indigenous speaker series in the National Park Service. Native America Speaks is made possible by donations to the Glacier National Park Conservancy.
All park visitors welcome.
Darnell Rides At The Door, or NiiTooKimNee (Lone Camper), is a respected Pikunii (Blackfeet) woman and comes from the Buffalo Chip band. Apprenticed to her elders who have gone before her, she is dedicated to continuing the legacy of a rich and powerfully beautiful way of life. Focusing on a greater understanding of the Pikunii World View, Darnell is driven to balance the best of both worlds.
As an Ookaan (Medicine Lodge), Thunder and Beaver Medicine Women, painted Lodge Owner, and member of many Pikunii core groups, Darnell shares the history of a proud people. She is a consultant for education, culture, traditions, Pikunii herbology and ethnobotany. She is a certified and licensed message therapist and Reiki Master.
Darnell is the honored matriarch of her family of five accomplished adults, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, all of whom continue to take pride creating stability and equity in their heritage and world lifestyles of today. Darnell and her husband, Smokey, reside west of Kipp’s Lake near the ancient wagon road crossing the Springhill Campsite of her ancestors. They have a consulting business and recently assisted in the production of the book People Before the Park and is currently officially listed as an Ambassador of Goodwill for the Blackfeet Nation.
Robert J. “Smokey” Rides At The Door or Esstaakawn (Dependable, works for the People) of the Buffalo Back Fat Band of the Amp skapii Pikunii (aka South Peigan/Blackfeet). He is a traditional historian and respected elder who shares the balance of oral traditions of the Pikunii World View and Ways of Knowing as a teacher and mentor to all who are willing to listen, seek and honor. He inherited and carries on the storytelling skills of his Warrior grandfathers. Smokey is an accomplished educator, coach, administrator, business entrepreneur, civic and tribal leader, financial ambassador, and traditional caretaker of ancient teachings and bundles of the Blackfeet. Smokey has served as a board member, tribal councilman, minerals chairman where he has influenced and developed better relationships at the local, county, state and international levels. Smokey holds a degree in Industrial Arts with minors in History and Business. Currently he is listed as an Ambassador of Goodwill / Finance to the Blackfeet Nation.
Smokey comes from the famed Rides At The Door warrior clan on his father’s side and the renowned John Tatsey family on his mother’s side. Smokey and his wife, Darnell, have five accomplished children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Together they own and operate Ridesatthedoor Consulting.
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