CEo - Founder

My Indigenous Ancestry

I'm Niitsitapii (The Original People) and live on Kainai (Blood Tribe), and Aamsskáápipikani (Blackfeet Tribe). My parents raised me with traditional values and beliefs. My norms and values are consistent with my Blackfoot cultural heritage.

I'm currently enrolled at the University of Montana, Forensic and Biological Anthropology, and was listed on the school year 2023 - 2024 Dean's List and Presidential List, which I'm very proud of that accomplishment.

I've worked with many different organizations and have years of experience in a variety of fields which include supervisor roles, recreation, sports, travel and tourism, environmental education, culture heritage education, naturalist, custom contracts, niitsitapii community elder, community leader, basic introduction to trades (welding, construction, auto mechanic, electrician, and safety training), upstream oil and gas, and administration.

I have many skills which is why I'm here to help Niitsitapii mentor our community if they need that guidance, I'm not here to judge just to help bring you to where you want to be HOME. When I say home, I mean home in their hearts. 

My role with Niitsitapii is to enhance indigenous communities and I'm here to provide my knowledge and skills to those in need. Most of my knowledge has been a lifetime of living as an indigenous person and participating in our societies. This has given me the rights and responsibilities of many important roles within the Blood Tribe. 

In previous employment, I've developed programs and utilized existing resources to produce excellent and custom programming for Alberta Parks at Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park. I've also won a Gold Award from Deloitte for my contributions to "the First Nations Internship Program" which was a great achievement.

If you would like to learn more about our programs and how you can benefit from them. We can definitely work with you to get you what you need. I have the skills and knowledge to develop a program suite or individual programs.

Examples of Programs:

Blackfoot Drumming and Singing, Stickgame - Handgame, Blackfoot Star Stories and Astrology, Food of the Blackfoot People, Writing-on-Stone - Archaeological Tour, Bird Walk

Nature Walk, Native Plants, Beading and Sewing, snake program, Interpreter Training Participation, First Nations Internship Program, Elders Program, School Lunch Program, Recreation Program, and custom Programming.

I'm very proud to have mentored people within our community which then have led them into leadership roles and the learning path they needed to enhance their lives as niitsitapii. Not only are they enhancing their lives but they are enhancing the communities and landscapes with their knowledge. To feel empowered and strive to be a cultural leader is something I'm very proud of. 

One thing you might notice about me is that my schooling wasn't traditional and when my Grandfather was diagnosed with Cancer I left my job to take on the most rewarding education I've had in my life. I was the apprentice and learned as much from my grandparents and now they are gone, I can return to the colonial education system.

The purpose of my work here is to help build our community with leaders who are native. I believe that the only way to gain our rightful place is to be represented at all levels and we don't need non-natives leading our fight. Today we have many native people who are educated and can hold positions of leadership.

I'm not just here to provide understanding and cultural sensitivity for our community but for the general public. I hope to find more organizations willing to recognize the need for learning about the indigenous peoples of this continent.

Thanks to the support of my community, I have been able to make a significant impact over the years. Learn more about my accomplishments and the positive change we have brought about.

Email: juanitatallman@niitsitapii.com

Your donation will help us continue our mission and support our community. Every dollar counts and will make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

Donations can be sent:

Niitsitapii

2223 South 9th Street West

Missoula, MT 59807