Okichitaw
Officially Okichitaw (Plains Cree martial art)
Modern Canadian Indigenous martial art founded 1997 by George J. Lépine (Cree) — synthesises Plains Cree warrior traditions with taekwondo, hapkido, judo, Chinese Chuan Fa. Features gunstock war-club, spear, tomahawk, knife, empty-hand joint locks with Cree-language commands.
What is Okichitaw?
Okichitaw is a modern Canadian Indigenous martial art founded 1997 by George J. Lépine (Cree Nation) — a synthesis drawing on Plains Cree warrior traditions with technical influences from taekwondo, hapkido, judo, and Chinese Chuan Fa. Preserved + taught through the Canadian Aboriginal Martial Arts Association (CAMAA, HQ Toronto). Features traditional Cree weapons: gunstock war-club (mostos-pikagan), spear (cistahaskwan), tomahawk (cikahikan), knife (mohkomanis), plus bow and unarmed joint-lock/throw techniques. Commands and terminology in Cree language. Practiced as payskisikaw (forms), kisiwak (partnered drills), and controlled sparring with foam/rubber training weapons. Not competitive tournament-based — ranking through Arrows + Feathers grading levels assessed on technical proficiency, cultural understanding, and Cree-language fluency.
Quick facts
Category
Combat Sports
Type
Individual
Players
1–4
Duration
~90 min
Where played
both
Country of origin
🇨🇦 Canada
Estimated origin
Founded 1997 by George J. Lépine (Cree); CAMAA preservation body
Olympic
No
Popularity
niche
How it works
Objective
Master technical curriculum + cultural knowledge; progress through Arrows + Feathers grading levels.
Match structure
Practiced as forms (payskisikaw), partnered drills (kisiwak), and controlled sparring with rubber/foam training weapons — no formal tournament circuit.
Rules
Basic rules
Cree-language commands
Class instruction + technique names in Cree language.
Cultural elder involvement
Grading includes cultural knowledge testing by elders.
Foam/rubber training weapons only
Live weapons used only in advanced demonstrations under strict supervision.
Advanced rules
Multi-opponent scenarios
Advanced students face 2-3 attacker choreographed sequences.
Mounted-combat concepts
Advanced curriculum includes historic Plains mounted-warrior tactics.
Scoring
Not a tournament sport; ranking via Arrow + Feather grading levels (First Arrow → Warrior's Feathers).
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Level advancement | Grading pass |
Win condition · Grading pass/fail assessed on technique + cultural knowledge.
Equipment
Gunstock war-club (mostos-pikagan)
Wooden club shaped like rifle stock with pointed spike/blade at the hook — Plains signature weapon.
Tomahawk (cikahikan)
Small hand-axe for close combat + throwing; often ceremonial with beadwork.
Spear (cistahaskwan)
Wooden shaft with stone/metal head, 5-7 feet long, thrown or thrust.
Training weapons (foam/rubber)
Safety weapons for sparring drills.
Ceremonial regalia
Traditional Cree clothing for grading + demonstrations.
Positions & roles
Warrior (Nihiyawew)
×1Practitioner — armed + unarmed combat, cultural steward.
Officiating
Instructor-led; grading includes cultural knowledge testing by elders.
- Head instructor (Okimah)
- Senior students (Onikanew)
- Cultural elder (for ceremony)
Penalties & fouls
Penalties
Uncontrolled contact
Immediate stop + safety review; repeat = dismissal.
Disrespect of ceremony
Serious cultural infraction — removal from grading until cultural counsel.
Weapon safety breach
Instant class dismissal + retraining.
Strategies
Gunstock trap-and-strike
Use the hooked end of war-club to trap opponent's weapon or limb, follow with striking end (weighted head) to the temple.
Tomahawk hook-throw
Feint high with tomahawk, hook neck/ankle and pull to off-balance, follow with grounded finishing strike.
Spear circle defence
Rotate spear in figure-8 pattern to keep multiple attackers at bay while retreating to defensible terrain.
Terminology
- Nihiyawew
- Cree word for 'warrior'
- Mostos-pikagan
- Gunstock war-club
- Cistahaskwan
- Spear
- Cikahikan
- Tomahawk
- Okimah
- Head instructor/chief
Major competitions
Aboriginal Sports Circle demonstrations
annual · Canada · since 1998
Pan-Am Indigenous Games (demonstration)
quadrennial · Americas · since 1990
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Canadian Aboriginal Martial Arts Association (CAMAA)
Founded 1997 · Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- George J. Lépine (Canada, Cree) — founder + grandmaster of Okichitaw
Records
Founding
George J. Lépine — Founded in Toronto, Canada; recognised by Indigenous cultural preservation programs (1997)
First public demonstration
George J. Lépine — Toronto Pan-Am Indigenous Games demonstration event (1998)
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
First Arrow
Basic footwork, empty-hand strikes, weapon familiarity, Cree greetings + terminology.
intermediate
- 1
Middle Arrows
Gunstock war-club forms, tomahawk drills, hapkido joint locks, spear thrust-and-parry.
advanced
- 1
Warrior's Feathers
Multi-opponent scenarios, mounted-combat concepts, ceremony leadership, teaching authorisation.
Frequently asked
Is Okichitaw a traditional Indigenous art?+
Okichitaw is a modern synthesis that draws on Plains Cree warrior traditions but was formally systematised in 1997 by George J. Lépine (Cree). Traditional Cree combat was not codified as a single 'art' — Okichitaw revives and structures those techniques.
Is it tournament-based?+
No — Okichitaw is preserved as cultural + practical art with grading levels but no international tournament circuit.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Okichitaw— Wikipedia