 The nations of the Blackfoot Confederacy had always hunted the bison, but the reintroduction of the horse to the American continent by the Spanish conquistadors, the "buffalo culture," with the bison at the basis of life, became extremely strong.By the time of European contact the members of these First Nations were highly skilled riders, breeders and all-round horsemen.The Cypress Hills area was also used by the neighbouring Cree and Assiniboine First Nations, the enemies of the Blackfoot Confederacy.