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 Oral evidence from interviews with elders and historical documents bring varying approaches to this timely topic.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.

Reg Crowshoe and Sybille Manneschmidt examine the two health structures that co-exist on the Peigan reserve in southern Alberta; one based on traditional Blackfoot culture, the other on Western European theories of health and healing. Both are practiced on the reserve today, yet only the western approach is acknowledged and endorsed by the Canadian government. Crowshoe and Manneschmidt describe Blackfoot healing traditions, their spiritual foundations, their historical development, and show how they can be integrated into Western approaches to health. Elders on the Peigan reserve have contributed to Akak'stiman through interviews and discussions with the authors. Their oral evidence is complemented by use of historical documents and accounts.