Genomic lineages of the Americas evolving in the Late Pleistocene. The nomenclature follows (22), with USR1 (2) representing ANC-C, Big Bar (3) representing ANC-D, and Historic Blackfoot representing ANC-E. Credit: scientific progress (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl6595
A group of researchers with diverse backgrounds and affiliations with multiple organizations in the United States and Canada, including the Blackfeet Confederacy, conducted a genetic study focused on tracing the ancestry of native Blackfeet Confederates in North America.
Their research was published in the journal scientific progressThe team collected tissue samples from several living members of the Blackfeet Confederacy, genetically sequenced them, and then compared the data to samples collected from the remains of Confederate members excavated from several ancient burial sites.
The Blackfeet Confederacy was made up of linguistically related groups of Native Americans who made up the Blackfeet or Blackfeet people, which included the Siksika, Kainai and two portions of the Pegan or Piccani people – Northern and Southern Picnicans. Historically, they were buffalo hunters and sometimes fishermen.They occupied large areas of the North American Plains, including Canada and the United States
By the end of the 19th century, most members had been retained. Tribal members have recently been suing the government and companies to reclaim some of their original lands. Part of that effort involves proving that they have historical rights through their lineage. The new study supports such attempts.
When comparing genetic evidence, researchers found that modern Blackfeet people are descended from a lineage that dates back about 18,000 years. They also found that genetic data supports Blackfeet legends, passed down orally from generation to generation, claiming that the Blackfeet have lived in North America for at least 10,000 years.
Blackfoot ancestry has become a contentious issue in the past few years, as members of the Blackfoot Confederacy claim that some lands near the eastern edge of the Rockies that are currently being drilled and tested by oil companies are ancestral. Protected by a treaty covering: Blackfeet Territory. The results of this effort support this assertion.
The team also found evidence that a major lineage split occurred among the people who migrated to North America about 18,000 years ago, forming all of the native peoples of today’s North, Central and South America.
More information:
Dorothy First Rider et al., Genomic analysis corresponds to deep persistence among Ice Age Blackfeet Confederate peoples, scientific progress (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl6595
2024 Science X Network
citation: Tracing the lineage of North American Native Blackfoot (2024, April 15), Retrieved April 23, 2024, from https://phys.org/news/2024-04-lineage-north-america-native-blackfoot .html
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