Glossary
Adaptation
Awareness and education of cultural and climate adaptation is where the nation and proponent understand that Ksaahkommitapii, the Spirit of the Land sets the criteria to respond to and dictates anticipated impacts, changes that may require equally participated measures to institute change.
Biocultural Heritage
In the Piikani context, a biocultural approach is based on the idea of conserving and restoring biodiversity in our ancestral lands, in particular those biological beings of significance to Piikani culture and ceremonies. The development of such an approach for Piikani requires drawing from multiple disciplinary roots with a common interest in understanding the relationship between biological, cultural, and linguistic diversity and their inextricable linkages.
Co-management
Co-management is the advancement of meaningful relationships, partnerships, responsible development and preserving the Piikaniinissini way of life through measures of equal governance, management and control.
Correcting the Wrongs of History
In the past, the Piikani People's Ideology, Beliefs and Theologies were undermined by Colonial, Western and Mainstream beliefs, laws and propaganda such as the Indian Act, Western Science, Religious and other institutional colonial systems. The racism, colonialism and systemic violence negatively impacted physical, socioeconomically, and culturally growth of the Piikani people and the Piikani Territorial lands, natural world and ecosystem. Propaganda statements such as the Piikani people have no god or no science must stop in order for the Piikani people to move forward with industry, governments and Canada.
Culturally Defined Keystone Species
The concept of the Culturally Defined Keystone Species (CKS) designates those plant and animal species whose existence and symbolic value are essential to the stability of a cultural group over time by indicators and measures defined by the Piikani.
Impacts to Cultural Protocol
Impacts of cultural protocols are indicators measuring the status of co-created and co-managed strategies in performance and severity and is the nation seeing co-management (co-governance) throughout initiatives of government, industry and mainstream social/economic systems.
Indigenous Science
Acknowledgement of Piikani Indigenous science is found in the language, knowledge of the Siksikai'powahsin Blackfoot Language and proper attention and measure of utilizing fluent Blackfoot Speakers are needed to validate indigenous science.
Responsible Development
The Piikani Nation defines responsible development as work or works that fully incorporate Piikani free, prior and informed consent and participation with equitable opportunities for monitoring, benefit and growth.
Self-Determination
The Piikani people have the right to design and lead initiatives and processes that manage and govern their own structures that lead to the outcomes they deem acceptable.
All interpretation, definition and application of the Charter and its Articles are at the discretion and interpretation of the Piikani Nation and its people.
All Rights Reserved.