Today, two health structures exist on the Peigan reserve. One is based on Blackfoot culture, and the other is based on European theories of health and healing. Although both methods are used on the reserve, the government only acknowledges the European approach. This book describes Blackfoot healing traditions, their spiritual foundations, and their historical development in great detail.

Akak'stiman shows how Blackfoot healing methods can be integrated with western approaches on the Peigan reserve. Oral evidence from interviews with elders and historical documents bring varying approaches to this timely topic. It is an important document in the neglected field of Indigenous procedures and philosophies.