Documenting Sasquatch: An Indigenous Storytelling Journey

Program Description

In “Documenting Sasquatch: An Indigenous Storytelling Journey”, Carrie Lynn Bear Chief and Lailani Upham tell of their personal experiences with the mystery the Blackfoot call “Imoitapi”. You will hear of their milestones through the Pikuni Bigfoot Storytelling Project, which will transport the audience respectfully into a world of the unknown. A walk through the Pikuni Bigfoot Storytelling Project will cover Sasquatch from an Indigenous understanding. Bear Chief and Upham share perspectives from local people who they’ve documented; with their encounters of “Imoitapi”, in the areas where they grew up: Fort Belknap Reservation and Blackfeet. This story project also includes encounters from other Indigenous communities throughout the U.S. and Canada. By the end of the presentation, a compelling conversation is sure to spark and inspire. Participants will walk away with a visualization that Bigfoot exists.

Presenter Bio

Carrie Lynn Bear Chief’s background is in service, education, and cultural preservation, particularly within Native American communities. She has many years of experience in public facilitation and training especially in the field of tribal programs that offer help to caregivers, elders, first responders, and those working in high-stress, trauma-related fields. As a trainer and speaker for the Native American caregiver support program within Title VI, Bear Chief has supported Tribal elders by educating communities on how to establish and sustain caregiver programs. She has had the opportunity to share knowledge at conferences across the United States, helping other Tribal programs develop similar initiatives. Currently, she is an ordained minister and associate pastor, teaching Bible studies at Faith Dominion Center Church. Bear Chief is the co-producer of the Pikuni Bigfoot Storytelling Project, serves as a cultural guide for Iron Shield Creative, and presents for the Glacier National Park Conservancy Native Speaks program

Lailani Upham is an Amskapi Pikuni (Blackfeet Nation) tribal member, and a descendent from the Aaniiih, Nakoda, and Dakota tribes. She is a journalist, educator, and business developer in indigenous stories and culture.