RidesAtTheDoor & Associates

Discuss and elaborate on South Peigan/Blackfeet worldview and way of life. Allowing the Indian individuals to understand where they come from, and where they fit contemporarily, will determine their economic future. South Peigan would present the history and culture from their genesis stories thru their contemporary way of life.  Audiences will learn about South Peigan spirituality, language, songs, relationship to the stars, family dynamics, plants and health and roles of arts and environmental sciences in Blackfeet Indian life.  Topics are melded together to gather a greater appreciation of Southern Peigan life in Montana. By presenting their traditional knowledge and melding traditions in contemporary social structure.  This presentation captures an Indian worldview expressed in modern context and explores tradition meets technology, from "smoke signals to satellites"      

Due to the lack of access to technology in the South Peigan/Blackfeet Reservation homes, there is lack of understanding their tribal worldview.  There is a need from the age of 5 to 65 to know and understand what it means to be South Peigan and in more complex to be Native American.  There is a need due to the poverty and homelessness in the school age children and adults with substance abuse. Blackfeet reservation is 1.5 million acres and has a population of approximately 12,000, which majority do not have a secondary education so are unable to access technology as well as others in Montana and other native communities. The unemployment rate is 55% or higher depending on the seasonal work.    

To educate the individuals about the South Peigan/Blackfeet world view the complexity to acknowledge where they come from and being proud to be Blackfeet.  The discussions will go into detail about the connection to the stars, genesis, the trauma(s) and also the survival in contemporary society.  Understanding the traditional society and understanding each person had a part in the growth and success of the tribe.  It was a community endeavor and no one was left out unless they disturbed the South Peigan protocols.  The technology will be in person discussions, power points, virtual meetings by using zoom, google meets, etc., and also allowing other elders to aide in teaching the world view so the participants can gain a vast amount of knowledge from the elders.  

Focus on the 15% of the Montana population(967,000) that are Native American, which also includes the South Peigan/Blackfeet Tribal members.  The age groups will be starting at 5 to 65, to start at the young age and also add more acceptance t the older spectrum.  In all aspects of the world view there is always a need to know where you come from and also understanding what it means to be Indian. Along with the 15% native American population our solution will also be available and include the non-tribal Montana population.   These presentations will provide a better understanding and access to native history and traditions to all Montanans. 

Individuals will be educated in both Native and western worlds making the link of balance from traditional to contemporary.  This helps to develop a way to better employment, financial capital, personal skill development, parallel learning involving language and culture revitalization, quality K-12 education and healing for mental and substances abuse. There is currently a educational scholarship for first generation college students.     

Prior to COVID pandemic, South Peigan/Blackfeet worldview was providing 24 presentations to K-12 Students in Northwest Montana and Sothern Alberta. Also providing in-service cultural training to Glacier National Park Rangers and assisting with 5 museums and cultural projects in the state of Montana.  Programs in Southern Alberta include herbology, stress management, Health protocol and incorporating traditional health care service.  Also helped in developing natural food production such as gardens, subsistence gathering of natural fruits and vegetables and wild meat processing.  Identification of traditional South Peigan plants for medicinal and food production.  The discussions will allow participants on the Montana reservations gain a better understanding of natural uses of plants and also reach to other states and communities.     

The solution is combining and presenting all aspects of South Peigan/Blackfeet culture and heritage of knowing genesis, relation and background of star stories, understanding the language in contemporary life, trauma and collaboration of societies traditional and contemporary.   The solution will broaden the impact and understanding of being Blackfeet to the local communities, other tribes and all of the Montana and neighboring states.  By using technology the presentations will more accessible and elaborate for interaction for all to learn and enjoy.  Programs will be both verbal and interactive since Blackfeet is about visual learning, this will allow participants to be hands on so there is more retention of what is being taught.      

The solution is reliant on technology due to the use of computers, tablets, phones and the like for the use of zoom, google meets, etc. so the presentation can reach a broader audience in the Blackfeet community, other tribal communities and in Montana.  Montana is the only state that requires Indian Education in all the schools, which allows the solution to be used vastly and have easy access.   There is always the need for the solution to use more technology as the need arises.   By having an outside classroom or meeting space the students or participants can relate to the teachings by acknowledging their environment and surroundings as it pertains to the worldview teaching academia.   

Establishing world view teachings approximately 15 years ago, by utilizing in person presentations and discussions.  There was use of laptop with the use of projector and showing the power point and visuals of the topics discussed.   There was also the use of classroom smart boards when available.  

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The concentrated development on South Peigan/Blackfeet worldview being able to be presented in an adequate form to the focused age group will allow the participants to get a better understanding of where they com from and view their identity as a whole and not on an individual basis.  They would understand the need to work together and coming together instead of being a lone "warrior".  Allowing themselves to learn all what the world view concepts encompasses. The vast population of Native Americans in Montana but also in relation to the world and understanding the genesis and ties to the land to survive and respect.    All interested participants will have one database to get answers instead of having to look in books and many websites on the internet with little to no information or mis-information, they are seeking, by having this access solution on the South Peigan/Blackfeet Worldview it will be in one spot and also interactive.  

Solutions currently serves 3,000.  In one year it can serve up to 6,000 if more have access to the zoom, google meet services.  In 5 years it can reach well over 10,000 local and possible world wide if all technology is used.  

Impact goals is to increase participation in person and online thru zoom, google meet, etc.   More development of program world view advertising. Being able to distribution of proper interactive materials so each participant gains a better understanding.  

Measuring by the correspondence through email and calls for more presentations in local and out of state schools.  The word of mouth has been the most successful.  All program participants have program evaluation that is submitted regarding  South Peigan/Blackfeet World view and has been highly successful.  

Barriers is being unable to travel due to the COVID pandemic.  Presentations are based on in person communication with discussion, and question/answer periods.  There is the hands on presentations.  If there is another pandemic or shut down of any type this will dis allow the worldview to be properly discussed in detail. Often the internet connections are interrupted causing the zoom, or other calls to be interrupted, stalled or cancelled.  There is also the financial aspect of being able to have the means to get to the location or have the proper technology available while presenting.     

Pandemics are unpredictable and there is the understanding that individuals will need to be vaccinated or immunized if presentations are to commence.  Internet use has to improved by the local internet provider so the wifi can be more reliable and dependable. Each participant having access to the proper technology so the information can be presented adequately.       

RidesAtTheDoor and Associates is a tribally licensed minority business and is located on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation on trust property.   

Presently there are 4 people.

2 of the 4 members are Tribal elders.  3 of the 4 are college educated. One has been an educator for 46 years and all are Blackfeet ambassadors and are immersed in the traditions of the tribe. All have the knowledge of balancing the world view traditionally and contemporarily.  

All members of the team are members of ceremonial and societal groups.  There is the basic understanding as it relates to South Peigan/Blackfeet genesis, star story collaboration and the ins and outs of diversity, equity and inclusion.  

Applying to be a solver to get the South Peigan/Blackfeet world view out to the local state and national levels so there is the development of respect and identity for all participants.  The need locally is to allow the participant to understand where they come from so they can be prosperous and successful.  This will flow into the state and national aspects so there is an understanding of traditionally teachings and beliefs.  There is the need for more material development and hand on presentations.  

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Partner with all organizations so the concept is wide spread and out to all so there is no discrimination to anyone and all can learn.  

The South Peigan/Blackfeet world view aims to enhance the knowledge of individuals to better their mental health, social health and economic well being and be a better citizen.  The world view focuses on the use of understanding where a person comes from and also acknowledges the use of nature to maintain balance in a persons life. 

The South Peigan/Blackfeet world view aims to enhance the knowledge of individuals to better their mental health, social health and economic well being and be a better citizen.  The world view focuses on the use of understanding where a person comes from and also acknowledges the use of nature to maintain balance in a persons life. 

The South Peigan/Blackfeet world view aims to enhance the knowledge of individuals to better their mental health, social health and economic well being and be a better citizen.  The world view focuses on the use of understanding where a person comes from and also acknowledges the use of nature to maintain balance in a persons life. The world view explains the balance of the female and male aspects in every day life. 3 of the 4 presenters are women who can relate how the world view pertains to their life, education and career.