We are deeply saddened to report that our friend and IPinCH colleague Narcisse Blood died in a tragic vehicle accident in Saskatchewan on Tuesday morning, February 10th, 2015. Narcisse, whose Blackfoot name Tatsikiistamik means Middle Bull, was on his way to Piapot First Nation with three other artists to make a presentation to theatre students at the local school.
Their vehicle collided with a pickup truck on Highway 6 north of Regina, killing all four occupants as well as the driver of the truck.
Narcisse was heading to Piapot to do what he loved best: collaborating with artists, mentoring students, and representing the Kainai Nation and the Blackfoot people. He was a highly respected educator, writer, filmmaker, heritage advisor, and traditional knowledge holder. He created and collaborated on numerous films, books, exhibits, and websites about Blackfoot culture and history. For many years he was chair of the Mookaakin Cultural and Heritage Society, an IPinCH partner, and through this society he was closely involved in the repatriation of sacred objects and the development of provincial repatriation legislation in Alberta. He was an advisor on the development of Blackfoot exhibits at the Glenbow Museum and at Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park. He played a central role in having the sacred site of Áísínip'i / Writing-on-Stone recognized as a National Historic Site, and was a leading advisor and advocate for the ongoing process to designate Áísínip'i as a World Heritage Site. He was also a member of the Advisory Panel for the current redevelopment of the Royal Alberta Museum.
Narcisse taught at the University of Lethbridge, in the International Indigenous Studies Department at the University of Calgary, and at Red Crow Community College on the Blood Reserve, where he was co-founder of the Kainai Studies program. Over the past year, he had collaborated on the ongoing theatre project called “Making Treaty 7,” which revisits the history of Alberta by emphasizing Blackfoot narratives. He is featured in a short MT7 video on storytelling at Napi’s Rock.
Narcisse was also involved with IPinCH from the very beginning, and contributed to research projects and conferences, including our 2011 Mid-term Conference. Throughout his work on repatriation, sacred sites, and historical representation, Narcisse always advocated reconciliation with non-Aboriginal society. At the same time, he was a staunch defender of Aboriginal rights, and of bringing some balance to the historical record. As stated by Ryan Heavy Head, director of the Kainai Studies program at Red Crow College, “Narcisse’s art was really the art of building relationships.”
Narcisse was gentle, wise, and good-humoured, a true mentor and spiritual leader, and a dear friend. Narcisse honoured his Kainai heritage in a myriad of ways, and he had so much more to contribute to his nation. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and his community for this terrible loss. We grieve his passing, and he will be truly missed.
Michael Klassen, Eldon Yellowhorn, and George Nicholas
Photo: Indiegogo.com
