At the time I visited the Reservation, the Blackfeet Opioid Abuse Prevention Project, was in its third year. The Project is the product of Blackfeet Community College through a collaborative grant from Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council. The program targets Reservation Communities, providing resources to educate members on the dangers of opioid addiction. Leading the charge last summer were Christie Farmer and Jenna Murray, under the guidance of Blackfeet Community College’s Helen Horn. Farmer graduated from B
CC spring of , and will be continuing her studies at the University of Montana. Murray joined the program in January of 2021 after switching her major to Social Work, she was excited to see how the program would help spread awareness and for future projects it could bring to the community.
While I was there, the group was in the middle of their “Quick Impact Project,” which featured a mural at the Glenn Heavy Runner Memorial pool. This public art project addressed opioid addiction in Blackfeet Country. The first phase of the mural was designed and completed in the fall of 2020 by my hosts when in Blackfeet Territory–local artists Tillie Torpey and Jesse Desrosier. The husband and wife team based their composition on both traditional and contemporary Blackfeet designs, and symbolizes the painted lodge.
“The lodge is our home,” Jesse told me. “The floral pattern symbolizes medicine, and the images of women and children represent a healthy community. Most people do not understand the significance of women in Blackfoot Culture.”
In July of 2021, local children were recruited from schools throughout Blackfeet Country to work with Jesse on the second part of the project, giving them an opportunity to paint their own message to the community. Farmer and Murray worked with each child as they created their design, educating them on the dangers of addiction and encouraging those affected to seek help. They also had recent Browning high school student Bree Anna Polk talk about how to succeed and stay drug free throughout high school and the community, by focusing on her academics and extra curricular activities.
A piece of me was left behind. A little bit of Florida sunshine. I had the honor to paint the young Heavyrunner and his mother.
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