Frank (Miiksskim “Iron”) Weasel Head Memorial Award

Note: Frank (Miiksskim “Iron”) Weasel Head was a founding member of the Mokakin Foundation and was instrumental in assisting the Blood Tribe in the successful repatriation of numerous religious and cultural artifacts from museums throughout North America. He devoted his life to the Tribe in the relentless pursuit of preserving the Tribe’s culture, traditions & customs. In addition to his life as a rancher, Miiksskim participated in timed-rodeo events, following in the footsteps of his father, Mokakin, a saddlebronc rider. Frank had extensive knowledge of oral history and contributed towards the on-going negotiations of several land claims. Up to the time of his passing he was working with the Blood Tribe’s Traditional Land Use Department and was with the Red Crow Community College’s Elder’s Advisory Group. Ni’tsitapi stories can be heard at the Glenbow Museum, where Miiksskim sat on the Elder’s Advisory Committee for the permanent installation of the Ni’tsitapi display.

Donor: Dr. Robert R. (Otahko Ohkiptopii “Yellow Horse Rider”) and Priscilla Janes

Eligibility-Candidate Pool:

• Entering or continuing full-time or part-time graduate student in any graduate program from the Blackfoot Confederacy: Siksika, Pikani (North and South Peigan) and Kainai (Blood).
• Demonstrate financial need

Criteria-ranking pool:

• Demonstrated participation, contribution and/or expressed interest in connecting to their culture and heritage through activities of preservation, interpretation, or celebration.

Payable:

• Payment upon confirmation of full or part-time enrolment at the University of Lethbridge in the Fall and Spring semesters immediately following the granting of the award.

Recipient Selection:

• The recipient will be selected by a committee comprised of representation from the Student Awards Office, Indigenous Student Advisor (or a representative from Iikaisskini (Low Horn) Gathering Place) and a traditional Blackfoot Elder.

Apply online through the University of Lethbridge’s awards, scholarships and bursary application portal.