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An introduction to Lethbridge: its history, the Nations whose lands it sits on, and Indigenous community life today, with sources.
Lethbridge, known in Blackfoot as Sikóóhkotok, sits among the coulees of the Oldman River valley in southern Alberta, about 215 km southeast of Calgary. The land was traditionally used by the Blackfoot Confederacy, and Oki, the Blackfoot word for hello, serves as the city’s official greeting. The University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge Polytechnic anchor education, and the Galt Museum and Archives presents Blackfoot culture. The Kainai Nation, whose Blood reserve is the largest in Canada, lies to the west, and the city has hosted the Lethbridge and District Siksikaitsitapi Powwow. Tipi rings, buffalo jumps and effigies across the region record centuries of seasonal movement. A Cree force of 600 to 800, allied with Saulteaux and Assiniboine, set out to raid the Blackfoot. They met unexpected Piikani camps, whose people had fled north after the Baker Massacre in Montana. Armed with repeating rifles, the Blackfoot drove the Cree back across the river. The city sits within Treaty 7 territory.
Lethbridge, Sikóóhkotok in Blackfoot, is on Treaty 7 territory, the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai and Piikani), and the homeland of the Métis. The Kainai (Blood Tribe) reserve, the largest reserve in Canada by area, is just southwest of the city.
Nearby: Kainai Nation (Blood Tribe) · Piikani Nation · Coaldale · Fort Macleod · Cardston · Taber
The Blackfoot Confederacy is made up of three Nations in Canada: the Siksika, Kainai and Piikani. The area is also part of Métis Nation of Alberta Region 3. The University of Lethbridge created Canada's first Department of Native American Studies in 1975, now called Indigenous Studies. Leroy Little Bear, whose Blackfoot name is Iikaisskini, was its first chair. The university's own Blackfoot name, Iniskim, was gifted by Elder Bruce Wolf Child in 2002. Its programs include the Niitsitapi Teacher Education Program. Each year the university observes Truth and Reconciliation Days from September 28 to 30. The campus closes on September 30. In 2021, Blackfoot graduate Chataya Holy Singer designed its Orange Shirt Day shirt. Downtown, the Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Friendship Society on 2 Avenue South serves the urban Indigenous community. Its programs include Blackfoot language classes, moccasin and skirt making, boxing, basketball, hiking and filmmaking. The Iinii Rock Music Club meets there too. The Treaty 7 Urban Indian Housing Authority, based in Stand Off, keeps a Lethbridge office. It offers affordable rentals to low- and moderate-income First Nations families.
More on the region: Indigenous Alberta · all of Canada.
XUSI is an Indigenous-owned business from Saskatoon, started in 2020 by two brothers from northern Saskatchewan. Along with our clothing, we bring Indigenous youth workshops and custom screen printing to Lethbridge and across Treaty 7 territory.
Strong Roots Strong Future is our interactive workshop for Indigenous youth, led by the two brothers who founded XUSI. We travel to schools, First Nations and Indigenous communities, youth organizations and funding programs in Lethbridge and across Treaty 7 territory. Youth ages 10 and up work through identity and culture, financial literacy, fitness, entrepreneurship and business skills, career readiness and hands-on screen printing.
Custom t-shirts, hoodies and crewnecks for Lethbridge schools, sports teams, businesses, events and First Nations and Indigenous organizations. Send us an idea, get free design help and a full quote before anything is printed. We print in Saskatoon and ship to Lethbridge. 10-garment minimum, up to 4 colours per design.
Heavyweight cotton tees, hoodies, crewnecks and A-frame hats with Cree words and the stories behind them. Fitness is part of how XUSI started, so our pieces are built for the gym and the street, and we ship them to Lethbridge.
Clubs can order screen printing with a 10-garment minimum and up to 4 colours per design. Every order gets a full quote before anything is printed, design help is included, and the hoodies are printed in Saskatoon and then shipped to Lethbridge.
Orders leave Saskatoon within 1–3 business days. You will see the shipping cost at checkout, and orders of $90 or more ship free within Canada.
Yes. Our custom screen printing starts at 10 garments, allows up to 4 colours per design, and every order is quoted before printing. Send us your Blackfoot text and our design help will lay it out. Everything is printed in Saskatoon and shipped to Lethbridge.
Many of our designs carry Cree words, and our meanings page shares each story. We are based in Saskatoon on Treaty 6 territory. Lethbridge is Blackfoot land in Treaty 7. If you want Blackfoot words, a custom order with your own wording is the respectful route.
Last reviewed . Facts on this page come from the sources listed below.
Alongside its own line, XUSI screen prints custom apparel for schools, teams, businesses, Nations and events in Lethbridge. Ten garments minimum, up to four colours, design help included, and a full quote before anything runs.
The clothing side is Indigenous-designed and Indigenous-owned, out of Saskatoon on Treaty 6. See custom screen printing, or shop the XUSI line.
