View One: The beauty of storytelling

In the past, Native Americans used paintings on hide in combination with verbal practice to record their Nation’s history and achievements. This painting is from the Blackfoot Nation. The date of this specific painting is not known but it is believed to be bought by Henry Christy around 1856. From the painting, it appears to depict the victorious battle of Blackfeet people against their enemies. The battle was meticulously described with colorful choices of colors. These story hides are often accompanied by oral descriptions which are passed down to the carer so that the histories are not lost in time.