The governments, on whom we often depend to obtain protection status, have no knowledge of, and no consideration for, concepts related to the sacred. There is no word in their vocabulary that refers to sacredness. How can we understand each other when the very basis of our relationship to the land is spiritual? And even if the word “sacred” is used by them, it does not have the same meaning as it does for us. When we say “sacred”, it does not mean inaccessible. The sacred landscape and rock art of Writing-on-Stone / Aisinai’pi is an exceptional testament to the living cultural traditions of the Blackfoot people. According to Blackfoot beliefs, spiritual powers inhabit the land, and the features of the landscape and rock art at this site reflect tangible, deep, and ongoing connections to tradition. The Stein Valley is a place we, the Nlaka’pamux people, consider sacred and use as a cathedral. Many of our people go there to do prayers, puberty ceremonies, and training to become a medicine man.
