Accomplishments for 2001           (back to Accomplishments)

• Monty Roberts holds an equine training demonstration in Butte. Monty and Pat Roberts donate over $5,000 to the B.B.H.C. Here they are visiting the ranch, receiving a rare handcrafted braided buffalo hair halter and lead line.

• Carlos LoPopolo visited the ranch with his crew to draw blood for DNA analysis. The blood samples were compared to DNA samples from the Spanish Colonial archeological record dating back to the early 1500's. The B.B.H.C. horses score very high and some are found to be foundation root stock - an exciting confirmation! Carlos also brought a film crew from Animal Planet. 
• A total of 33 foals were born this year, the last on Dec 28th. (Thankfully, he was born with a very fuzzy coat.)
• The B.B.H.C. negotiated a one year extension of the lease/purchase agreement. We have until April 1st, 2002 to raise sufficient funds to purchase the ranch. Thank you Creator -- hear our prayers.
• Election of Board members. For the first time, all officers of the Board of Directors are enrolled Blackfeet, and the remainder of the Board is 73% Native American. See Board of Directors for the listing.
• The B.B.H.C. started programs with Golden Triangle Mental Health Services. Five youths at a time visited the Seven Eagles Ranch three times per week to learn Blackfeet language skills and cultural traditions with Shirlee Crow Shoe and to work with horses. The Golden Triangle staff noted "remarkable significant progress" in their young people attending the B.B.H.C. youth development horse program.
• The Heart Butte Drug Elimination Program brought youth to the ranch to work with the horses.
• Dr. Doug Hammill brought an elder hostel group to the ranch for the day.
• Glenbow Museum in Calgary commissioned Bob to make a buffalo hide tipi and liner that will occupy a full-floor Blackfeet exhibit.
• Abigail Hornik organized the B.B.H.C. administrative systems and put a new filing system in place.
• A float entered in the North American Indian Days Parade, promoting the B.B.H.C., Golden Triangle, and the Heart Butte Youth Drug Elimination Program.
• Bob Black Bull taught many classes at the ranch. A few include: 
  • Hide-tanning (deer and elk) for  ages 11 to 14. (This process requires a great deal of upper back and arm strength and a healthy release of abundant teenage energy that might otherwise find counter productive outlets. Hide-tanning ,like other skills, produces esteem-building occupational accomplishments consistent with traditional beliefs), 
  • Making moccasins from deer (akáwakas) and elk (pónoka) hides.
  • Drying meat (guy-ie) and making pemmican.
  • Drying chokecherries.
• The B.B.H.C. Horse and Youth Development process is being shared with other Horse Nations tribes who are similarly awakening their youth to the ethnic pride of horsemanship, old-time values, and cultural roots. There is much community synergy.

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