Okichitaw

Okichitaw is a martial art based on the fighting techniques of the Plains Cree First Nations. It was founded and developed by Canadian martial artist, George J. Lépine.

History

Origins

In his youth, founder George J. Lépine learned traditional wrestling, tomahawk throwing and hand-to-hand combat techniques (miche che kiske). He also trained in judo, taekwondo and hapkido. Lépine developed Okichitaw and established it in 1997. It is based in Toronto, Ontario. Lépine is the Director and Chief Instructor ("Okimikahn Kiskino Huma Kew" in Cree). George Lépine is Plains-Cree Michif from Manitoba and learned traditional hunting and tracking practices from a very young age. Teachings of traditional fighting techniques were also passed onto him. He started martial arts at age thirteen in Winnipeg. As he was progressing in his martial arts training, his Taekwondo Grandmaster encouraged him to embrace his traditions of native combat and to find ways to preserve, research and perpetuate this knowledge. This direction and guidance was also pressed into him by Traditional Elders throughout the Aboriginal Community. on Canadian Plains Cree combat principles and methods – both from his own teachings and through extensive historical research – Okimikahn Lépine combined this knowledge of native combat with his aboriginal culture and values and his extensive martial arts experience to create Okichitaw. For 20+ years he has been distilling this knowledge, codifying and systematizing it into a modern martial arts system. Okichitaw is a renewed expression of this traditional warrior knowledge, carrying these techniques and tactics and values to the present and into the future.