Piikanisaahkowa Iipiipototsipa – The Lands Made for Piikani
Piikani Archaeology Conference 2026
Theme: Connecting the Past, to the Present, for the Future
Location: UC Ballroom, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
Dates: May 19–20, 2026
Day 1 Agenda – May 19, 2026
Morning Ceremonies
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Opening Pipe Ceremony
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Opening Prayer & Breakfast
Welcome & Opening Session
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
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Welcoming Address – Provost and V.P. for Academic Affairs for the UofM, Adrea Lawrence
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Welcoming Address & Piikani Land Acknowledgement – John Murray, Blackfeet T.H.P.O
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Conference Purpose and Goals, Jerry Potts – Chairman for Iron Shirt Culture & Heritage
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Break
Organizer Remarks & Presentations
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM
Blackfeet Eco Knowledge Introduction – Tyson & Lona Running Wolf
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Iron Shirt Culture & Heritage Society – Troy Crow Shoe
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Blackfeet T.H.P.O – John Murray & Gheri Hall
Lunch
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Afternoon Presentations
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
Piikani Archaeology – Dr. Maria Zedeño, University of Arizona
1:45 PM – 2:30 PM
Archaeology along the Madison River in S.W. Montana
Shannon Gilbert, Rossillon Consulting
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM - High Altitude Site Study - Gheri Hall, Blackfeet T.H.P.O
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM - Break
3:15 PM – 4:00 PM - Ohkomi Forensics, Hailey Omeasoo, PhD.
Activities
4:10 PM – 5:00 PM
Blackfeet Eco Knowledge VR Experience
5:10 PM – 6:00 PM
Planetarium Shows – Payne Family Center
Evening Banquet
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Dinner & Acknowledgement
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Keynote: Traditional Blackfoot Women’s Dresses – Kent Ayoungman – Siksika Nation, AB. Canada
Day 2 Agenda – May 20, 2026
Morning Session
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Opening Prayer & Breakfast
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Guest Speaker: Academy Award Nominee and Golden Globe Winner Lily Gladstone
Presentations
9:30 AM – 10:15 AM
Medicine Wheels and Napi Effigies – Trevor Peck
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM
Set in Stone – Lindsey Amundson - Meyer & Jeremy Leyden
11:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Break
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Blackfoot Presence in the Bob Marshall Area – Arnold “Smoke” Elser
Lunch
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Afternoon Session
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
Piikani Archaeology - Dr. Maria Zedeno, University of Arizona
1:45 PM – 2:30 PM
Blackfoot Archaeology – Kendall Edmo
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Conference Summary – Karla Bird
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Closing Remarks
Notes / Questions / Comments
(Use this space for notes)