Have you ever been bullied around by an older brother or sister, but at the same time get along with them? Did it make you want to stand up for yourself? The Blackfoot Indians encountered the very same problem with the white people who had recently begun to migrate into the Indians land and territories. The Napikwans, as the Indians called them, were initially thought to be nice and friendly. They possessed many sought after items by the Blackfoot. Contacts with the Napikwans have changed the lives of the Blackfoot Indians in more then one way: The Blackfoot Indians were being forced from there homeland, created conflicts between the Blackfeet and the Napikwans, and were strongly influenced by the white men.
The settlement of the white people had taken its toll on the Blackfoot's. The Napikwans began to move in on the Indians, taking over their hunting ranges, and forcing them from the land in which they had lived for years. "At the time the Pikunis gave the Napikwans some land in return for promises that we would be left alone to hunt on our ranges" (174). The Indians did so as a reassurance that they were safe living with the white people. They thought that would put an end to the white mans greed. As more agreements were made between the Napikwans and the Lone Eaters, the Indians were promised goods to make up for the loss of ranges, as well as some of the white mans money. "These things never came to pass. And so we have every reason to hate the Napikwans" (174).
A scout from the Napikwans, Joe Kipp, delivered an invitation for the Pikuni chiefs to meet with the Napikwan generals for what the Indians thought was to discuss Owl Childs actions. "It was clear to Rides-at-the-door that this would be the last of thefriendly meetings with the Napikwans, the last chance to reach agreement that would prevent the seizers from taking control of the Pikunis lands and fates" (269).
Tension was formed around the relationship between the Blackfeet and the Napikwan.
