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that may not want to be
found. There were even
instances when even the
unflappable Lailani was
spooked, such as when
they were hiking in Many
Glacier several years ago.
"We were getting
deeper into the woods
up there," says Lailani,
when the mood suddenly
shifted. "At that moment,
there was an odd feeling."
They promptly left. When
she showed the raw video to a cousin last year, their unsolicited
impression was that "it felt creepy." Lailani says she told her that
"It feels like there is something there."
Although Carrie Lynn and Lailani venture out in all sorts of
weather, with summer approaching they're bound to be on the
trails of Glacier, as well as off the beaten path throughout the
Blackfeet Nation and other tribal lands looking for the elusive
creature. They are also always looking for other people's expe-
riences with Bigfoot, as well as cultural stories. Besides Bigfoot,
there are captivating stories of Little People and Shapeshifters.
Their cousin, Raven Heavy Runner, shares a Blackfeet Bigfoot
medicine story passed down from their grandfather, Joseph B.
Upham (whose Blackfeet name was Iron Shield) along with an
always entertaining Napi story. Even Lailani's young grand-
daughter, Holly Upham
(Bear Chief), a natural
storyteller at heart, tells
listeners the story of Napi
and the Great Spirit.
Lailani says it's
been in the back of her
mind for a long time to
create a place for indig-
enous stories, which has
been a big part of the
Pikuni Bigfoot Storytell-
ing Project platform. She
was inspired to develop
Iron Shield Creative and, as a writer and visual storyteller, she
features stories and shares them firsthand during the cultural
hikes she and her team offer. Of course, Bigfoot will most likely
be part of the mix in many of the outings, and she looks forward
to encouraging people to do their best Bigfoot holler.
In the meantime, keep your eyes open while walking in the
woods or along a ridge because you never know who might just
be looking back. It might be Carrie Lynn and Lailani, or it could
be Imoiitapi himself.
For those who have a Bigfoot story, contact Carrie Lynn and
Lailani at Pikunibigfootstoryproject@gmail.com. You can find
the Pikuni Bigfoot Storytelling Project on YouTube, and follow
Lailani's cultural programs and stories at ironshieldcreative.com.
Moody Many Glacier
AMY
GRISAK
