I’saap’isto’to’saohp Iniiksii: Reaching an agreement with the buffaloes by Sikapinakii Low Horn
As part of the 2024 CreateSpace Public Art Residency and in partnership with the Galt Museum, Blackfoot artist Sikapinakii Low Horn brings a 16×8 foot mural that honours the Buffalo Treaty and welcomes visitors of Fort Whoop-Up in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Project at a glance
Location: Fort Whoop-Up (200 Indian Battle Rd S, Lethbridge, Alberta)
Artists: Sikapinakii Low Horn
Documentarians: Angeline Teoh Simon
Year: 2024-2025
Services: Artist Capacity Building
1
artist-in-residence
16 x 8′
mural
About I’saap’isto’to’saohp Iniiksii: Reaching an agreement with the buffaloes by Sikapinakii Low Horn
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Buffalo Treaty signed in 2014 to bring back buffalo and buffalo culture, Blackfoot artist Sikapinakii Low Horn was chosen to lead a public art piece that commemorates the deep bond between the buffalo and the Blackfoot people.
Through meetings with Elders and knowledge keepers from the Siksika Nation and Kainai Nation, the artist used the knowledge and learnings to produce I’saap’isto’to’saohp Iniiksii: Reaching an agreement with the buffaloes, an original acrylic mural on birchwood canvas.
This piece was reproduced digitally into a 16×8’ alupanel mural that is now installed at the entrance of Fort Whoop-Up. An unveiling and celebration was hosted on May 15, 2025 that included a blessing from a Blackfoot knowledge keeper and remarks from the artist and staff.
Artist Statement
Depicted are two buffaloes, one adult and one baby, to show the renewal of our relationship with the buffalo that were introduced back to the Kainai Nation, and many more tribes across North America. I was able to learn from different knowledge keepers that work closely with the land to know when new babies are being born, depicted through the buffalo bean flowers that grow within our lands.
The energy and power that we receive from the buffalo is depicted through the mother buffalo stepping on a puffball (kaka’tosiiksi) mushroom. From the puffball, energy emanates through the painting to show growth and our continual journey with bringing buffalo back to the plains.
About the Artist
Sikapinakii Low Horn
Blackfoot artist, Sikapinakii Low Horn, is a member of the Siksika First Nation which is a part of the Blackfoot Confederacy in Southern Alberta. Low Horn utilizes a variety of mediums to tell the stories of their people, in hopes of educating others about the history and culture of the Blackfoot. Currently, Low Horn has been focusing their practice on the history of Blackfoot Cowboys and the Dog Days.
Partners
Funders
The 2024 CreateSpace Public Art Residency was made possible by support from TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment and the Canadian Race Relations Foundation with funding provided by the Government of Canada.
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