Maggie Black Kettle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Maggie Black Kettle
Maggie Black Kettle, from a 1988 newspaper
Born	August 20, 1917 Siksika Reserve, Alberta, Canada
Died	September 14, 2011 Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Other names	Maggie Blackkettle, Niinayiiniimakii
Occupation	Community leader, educator, storyteller, dancer, artist

Maggie Black Kettle (born August 20, 1917 – died September 14, 2011) was an important leader from the Siksika Nation in Canada. She helped keep her culture alive by teaching traditional crafts, dances, and the Blackfoot language. Maggie was also a gifted storyteller and even appeared in movies and TV shows.

Early Life and Education

Maggie Black Kettle was born on the Siksika First Nations Reserve. This reserve is located near Gleichen, Alberta. When she was seven years old, Maggie went to a Catholic boarding school. This school was in Cluny. At the school, she was not allowed to speak Blackfoot. Blackfoot was her first and only language as a child.

A Leader in Her Community

Maggie Black Kettle was seen as a very respected elder and spiritual leader. She was a "matriarch," meaning she was a wise and powerful woman in her community. She often attended important events. These included local ceremonies and large North American powwows. Powwows are special gatherings where Indigenous people celebrate their culture. She also took part in the Indian Village exhibition. This exhibition is held at the yearly Calgary Stampede.

Teaching Culture and Language

Maggie was passionate about teaching her culture. She taught the Blackfoot language to many students. She also shared her knowledge of traditional crafts and dances. She taught at two schools in Calgary. These were the Plains Indian Cultural Survival School and the Piitoayis Family School.

Public Recognition and Roles

During the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Maggie Black Kettle shared her weather forecasts. The next year, she helped start Native Awareness Week in Calgary. This week aimed to teach people about Indigenous cultures. She also served on the board of the Calgary Indian Friendship Centre. There, she helped First Nations women who were new to the city. In 1994, she received a Woman of Distinction Award. This award came from the YWCA of Calgary. Maggie was also a member of several important societies. These included the Sundance Society Motookiiks, the Buffalo Women's Society, and the Horn Society.

Storytelling and Acting

In her later years, Maggie Black Kettle became a well-known storyteller. She shared traditional stories with many people. She also appeared in Canadian movies and television shows. Some of her roles were in North of 60 (1993) and Medicine River (1993). She also acted in Wild America (1997) and Dream Storm (2001).

Family Life

When Maggie was 16, she married Nickolas Black Kettle. Their marriage was arranged by their families. Together, they ran a farm. They had seven children. Maggie also helped raise many of her grandchildren. Her husband, Nickolas, passed away in 1973. Maggie Black Kettle lived to be 94 years old. She died in 2011 at a hospital in Calgary.