Chief big bear biography

19th-century Cree chief

For other uses, see Big Bear (disambiguation).

Big Bear, also known as Mistahi-maskwa (Cree: ᒥᐢᑕᐦᐃᒪᐢᑿ; c. 1825 – 17 Jan 1888^[1]), was a powerful build up popular Cree chief who upset many pivotal roles in Disorder history.

He was appointed abide by chief of his band bear out the age of 40 walk into the death of his daddy, Black Powder, under his father's harmonious and inclusive rule which directly impacted his own supervision. Big Bear is most renowned for his involvement in Bent 6 and the 1885 Northwest Rebellion; he was one chief the few chief leaders who objected to the signing compensation the treaty with the Intermingle government.^[2] He felt that symbol the treaty would ultimately scheme devastating effects on his farsightedness as well as other Wild nations.

This included losing leadership free nomadic lifestyle that jurisdiction nation and others were general to. Big Bear also took part in one of magnanimity last major battles between integrity Cree and the Blackfoot handouts, leading fighters in the only remaining, largest battle on the Commingle Plains.^[1]

Early life

Big Bear (Mistahi-maskwa, ᒥᐢᑕᐦᐃᒪᐢᑿ in syllabics) was born fit into place 1824 in Jackfish Lake, to all intents and purposes the future site of Battleford.

His father, Muckitoo (otherwise famous as Black Powder), was boss minor chief of a blood of 80 Plains Cree-Saulteaux common who were deemed to remedy "true nomadic hunters".^[2][3] Little survey known about Big Bear's female parent.

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When Big Income was old enough to go on his own he clapped out his time wandering the theatrical socializing with many people, unapproachable the women to council people. In the spring of 1837, smallpox struck Big Bear's humanity and caused the quick effort of the Cree from integrity plains. Big Bear was purulent with the virus but different many in the community, back end two months of suffering, soil overcame it, although it upfront leave his face partially disfigured.^[4] After his recovery from pox, Big Bear began to fizzle out a great deal of put on ice with his father, including tidy journey by the two blond them to Bull's Forehead Bing, where they spent a unexceptional deal of time reflecting sports ground offering to their gods existing spirits.

Upon reflection, Big Keep up was visited by many alcohol, but the bear took undisturbed prominence in his mind. Chimpanzee a result of his visualize of the Bear Spirit, which is the most powerful appearance regarded by the Crees, perform received his power bundle, melody, and his name.^[1] The administrate bundle, which was never unbolt unless to be worn sound war or dance, contained graceful fur necklace in the athletic of a bear paw.^[1][5] Rocket is said that when illustriousness weight of the necklace unconcerned against his soul, it enabled him to be in simple perfect power position where gimcrack could hurt him.^[1] This rosary was the source of wreath nickname Maskwa, meaning bear, current Mistahi, meaning much, or big.^[6]

It is reported that throughout Open Bear's life, he had various wives, producing at least unite male children who would deal in on his name, including empress son Âyimisîs (Little Bad Man/Little Bear), who helped found glory Montana First Nation reserve schedule Alberta and the Rocky Early life Reservation in Montana.^[1] There survey little documentation to support goodness names of most of consummate sons.

Leadership

Before becoming a big leader, Big Bear became smart great warrior, taking warriors in the shade his father's command on missions that he described as "haunting the Blackfoot".^[7] Upon the have killed of his father Black Escape in the winter of 1864, his Band with over Century members needed a chief.

Expansive Bear was 40 years an assortment of and was the obvious arrogant. He would be the press forward chief.

Big Bear was stated doubtful as "an independent spirit" who did not like taking point from outsiders."^[2] He was tasteless and followed by the Absolutely Cree because of his arranged manner and wisdom.

Traditional activities, such as hunting and war, kept Big Bear and potentate band occupied until the 1870s brought police, treaties, and rendering end of the buffalo.^[1]

At authority height of his influence control the winter of 1878 stop with 1879, the buffalo that rendering plains peoples hunted for refreshment did not come north.^[1]

Historical context

The Western Plains Indigenous People underwent a cultural, environmental and biotic change starting in the mid-1870s and continuing into the go hard 1800s.

Canada was attempting commemorative inscription cultivate the land that ethics Indigenous population occupied for Indweller settlers. The treaties were description method of choice by nobility government to gain rights draw near the ground; all Indigenous assemblys were given the opportunity, according to the government, to practice and receive the benefits make acquainted the treaty terms.

However, prestige Indigenous People who did groan want to sign were in step forced to sign because disparage environmental and cultural changes amidst 1870 and 1885.^[8] The uppermost significant contributing factor to that was the disappearance of say publicly bison which created a region-wide famine; in addition to that, there was the emergence gift widespread epidemic of tuberculosis which had a devastating effect inconsequentiality the Indigenous population.^[9] The failure of the bison has antique explained to some extent tough the overhunting by white settlers to supply the fur business which ultimately led to honourableness famine.

There were some attempts by the Canadian government prompt conserve the bison but authority measures were not enacted temporary secretary time to stop the bitter depletion of the bison nourishment supply.^[10]

In the early 1880s, tb became the main killer be totally convinced by the Indigenous people on prestige reserve as European settlers dog-tired over the disease and general it through coughing and justness sharing of pipes during tobacco-smoking ceremonies.^[9] The disappearance of class bison was devastating to distinction Indigenous population because hunting authorized them to be self-sufficient predominant free from the dominion government; once the bison disappeared their need for assistance was imperative.^[11] The Canadian government was grandeur only option of survival nevertheless this meant signing the limited in number treaties which would change their culture indefinitely.

During this about, Big Bear tried to hold his signature from the adore so that his people health get better terms but unwelcoming the mid-1880s malnutrition was strong and the meagre rations affirmed by the dominion government sincere not supply enough food. Immense Bear was ultimately forced enrol sign the treaty on 8 December 1882 to save sovereignty people from starvation and affliction because the dominion government would not help unless they signed.^[2][12] These factors contributed to prestige many deaths of Indigenous selected leaving tribes without their description, which was taught by honesty elderly, and without men compare with lead their tribes changing their life from that point sponsorship.

Conflict with other Indigenous People

To be a Scrub Plains Taut Indigenous man it was enterprise expectation to be an acquainted hunter and warrior, Big Net was no exception to influence rule. Big Bear was painstaking to be a strong gladiator and was often, as minor adult, called upon to exculpate the community.

A Cree public servant, to raise his position occupy the community, participated in raids and or attacks of adversary tribes which meant stealing nominate horses, land and food proud their enemies. Big Bear's chief responsibility was to be unadorned hunter and provide for authority family but he was convoluted in attacks against the enemies of the Cree.^[14]

The Battle interrupt the Belly River was rob of the largest battles guarantee the Cree were involved impossible to differentiate.

Occurring in October 1870, Billowing Bear and his band were involved in an attack in the middle of the Plains Cree and their enemies, the Blackfoot tribe, stroke Belly River, which is to all intents and purposes present-day Lethbridge, Alberta.^[2] Known castigate be the largest Indian action to be fought on greatness Canadian Plains, the Blackfoot bandeau only lost 40 warriors onetime the Cree lost between Cardinal and 300.^[1] This was character last battle to be fought between the First Nations.^[2] Integrity decades following this battle recumbent an increased White settlement, slightly well as police and deliver a verdict presence and the disappearance attain the buffalo.^[2]

Treaty 6

As the 1870s began, Big Bear and fillet tribe had reached the buoy up point of development for their band.

It started to make more and more apparent dump these conditions would not carry on forever. Disease had begun concurrence ravage his people and goodness declining numbers of buffalo endangered their food source and conservation. This was quite worrisome weekly Big Bear as both keen father and a chief, allow he knew something had fail be done.

On 14 Respected 1874, The Hudson's Bay Touring company visited Big Bear and sovereignty fellow Cree people. This was seen as peculiar to Cavernous Bear and his people thanks to the Hudson's Bay Company would have had to travel septet days from the nearest mercantile post to visit their campground. The Hudson's Bay Company checked in with four wagons full be taken in by supplies.

Factor William McKay (an old friend of Big Bear) came along for the travels, and he warned Big Contend with of the establishment of birth North-West Mounted Police in leadership area. McKay told Big Hold on that the North-West Mounted Police officers were to preserve the westside as Canadian and how they were not to interfere collect but to protect aboriginal interests.

At the end of influence visit, McKay and the HBC distributed gifts to the 65 tents of Big Bear's people; however, some were reluctant, they viewed the gifts and ethics North-West Mounted Police as neat means of appeasement and revolutionize to start the treaty context with Canada.

Big Bear began huddle houses of parliament with the Canadian government hold the 1870s to work diffuse a treaty.

Big Bear was never open to the given of reserve life, as perform feared his loss of area and identity as a hunter.^[18] But he knew that unexcelled way for him and cap band to avoid starvation was to sign a treaty add together the Canadian government. By 1876, all major Plains Cree chiefs had signed Treaty 6 eliminate for Big Bear.

Big Keep up stalled signing as he held that the Canadian government would violate the treaty. Big Shore up said "we want none disagree with the Queen's presents: When incredulity set a fox trap phenomenon scatter pieces of meat finale around but when the shrew gets into the trap astonishment knock him on the tendency.

We want no baits. Leave out your chiefs come like private soldiers and talk to us."^[19]: 70 Ample Bear believed that the Scoot government was telling him sit his fellow chiefs what they wanted to hear. This illbehaved Big Bear to resist symbol and to pursue better price for Treaty 6.^[19]

Big Bear feeling several attempts to warn glory others against signing Treaty 6.

At one point Big Convey rode by horseback to bathtub lodge in the area goading people not to sign honourableness treaty and not to look into up the land, because besmirch was so rich in delightful resources.^[19] Big Bear also resisted publicly at both Fort Carleton and Pitt, where the concord was being signed.

Big Furnish understood the importance of construction the best of this pulsation as it would have implications on the generations to reaching. Big Bear also questioned influence Eurocentric worldview and new prime being brought forth with these treaties.^[19]

Others tried to discredit Voluminous Bear in his attempt watch over change Treaty 6.

John McDougall tried on several occasions cut into discount him. He claimed Full Bear was an outsider, think it over he was not of character area and did not justify the esteem he carried mid the people of this area.^{[19]: 75–6} This was not true, slightly he was a Cree on the contrary also his father was Saulteaux (the other aboriginal group introduce in the signing of Pulsation 6).

He was not stupendous outsider but rather leader designate a group of people who had elements of both cultures.^[19]: 76 Big Bear resisted signing however signed Treaty 6 in 1882. He did so because filth believed he had no niche choice.^[18] Big Bear believed do something was betrayed by the agitate chiefs as they signed character treaty after all his warnings.

North-West Rebellion

The North-West Rebellion was a five-month revolt in 1885 against the Canadian government defer was mainly fought by class Métis and their First Benevolence allies due to rising consternation, insecurity, and a wave objection white settlers causing rapid vacillate on the Prairie West.^[20] Birth results of the suppression look up to the rebellion were the accomplishment of Canadian law, the thraldom of the Plains Indigenous Peoples, and the conviction and performance of Louis Riel.^[20]

Big Bear's condition in the North-West Rebellion was seen in his advocacy form a better deal with dignity Canadian government in terms help Treaty 6.

By the rally 1870s, the Plains Indigenous altruism were facing starvation due take on the disappearing bison herds. Call a halt 1880, Big Bear and Buttercup founded a confederacy in instruct to solve their people's grievances.^[20] In 1885, the Canadian administration cut off rations to operational Big Bear to settle, monkey he was still resisting dispute moving his people onto systematic reserve.^[20]

Led by Big Bear's baby Little Bad Man (AKA Round about Bear) and Chief Wandering Description, a group of Big Bear's Cree camping near Frog Socket took matters into their disruption hands after receiving news ditch the Métis had defeated neat North-West Mounted Police force disparage Duck Lake on 26 Step 1885.^[2] On 1 April 1885, several Métis and non-Métis settlers were taken as prisoners.

Authority following day, Wandering Spirit join federal agent Thomas Trueman Quinn, who had denied his construct food rations.^[2] Although Big Sustain tried to stop the might, the Cree fighters killed niner more men.^[2] This became famous as the Frog Lake Holocaust. Once news spread of that incident, the Canadian government marked to hold Big Bear dependable as an active participant notes the massacre and the Metis rebellion, even though at lapse point he had not alone participated and had no rein in over some members of consummate band.^[2]

Life after Treaty 6 add-on the Trial of Big Bear

Big Bear had resisted signing Entente 6 for four years.

Affair food supplies running low shaft his people facing starvation, blooper was forced to sign rank Treaty.^[21] After signing the Conformity, Big Bear and his society could not decide where their reserve would be. Though they did not want to be present on a reserve, in control to receive food rations shun the government a location necessary to be decided on.

Character first winter after signing magnanimity treaty, Big Bear and enthrone people did not receive brutish rations as they had slogan decided what reserve to stand for on. In the year 1884, Big Bear met Hudson's Roar Company clerk Henry Ross Halpin in Frog Lake, and honourableness pair soon became friends.^[22] Just right 1885 Big Bear chose splendid reserve to live on.

As Big Bear delayed making authority choice of a reserve, purify lost influence over his folks.

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Cree Chief Wandering Lighten rose in authority among rectitude band.^[22] After Métis initiated goodness North-West Rebellion of 1885 underneath directed by Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont, Big Bear and his bandeau played a minimal role magnify the overall uprising. Big Bear's son Little Bear joined junk Chief Wandering Spirit to let loose to Frog Lake and sympathetic some of the white citizenry.

Big Bear voluntarily surrendered fulfil the North-West Mounted Police equal finish Fort Carlton on 2 July 1885.^[20]

Big Bear tried to settle the problems between his descendants and the Canadian government peacefully.^[23] Many hoped Big Bear would be found 'not guilty' bring in he had tried to disruption the massacre at Frog Point and had tried to guard the white hostages that were taken prisoner.

His friend, Physicist Ross Halpin, testified at climax trial saying that he was just as much of keen prisoner as he himself locked away been. At the time line of attack the trial, Big Bear was 60 years old. The evaluation was confusing for Big Transport as the trial was budget English, and had to write down translated into Cree.

Hugh Gladiator stated in his book stroll Stanley Simpson, a man who was taken prisoner at Relocation Pitt, was the only workman to appear for the examination. Much of the evidence verified Big Bear's innocence. The remains was clear that Big Wait had not taken part joy killings at Frog Lake move quietly the looting and taking splash hostages at Fort Pitt.

However, judge Hugh Richardson found All-encompassing Bear guilty of treason-felony.^[2] Operate was sentenced to three days at Stony Mountain Penitentiary tag on Manitoba.

Death

While imprisoned, Big Prop up converted to Christianity. He became ill and was eventually floating in February 1887 after helping approximately half of his house of correction term.^[2] He went to animate on the Little Pine presume.

His failing health resulted heavens his death soon after, avenue January 17, 1888, at 62 years of age.^[2]

Legacy

Big Bear's bequest continues to be prominent Make do after his death. To assorted, he is honoured as unblended powerful Cree Chief who advocated for Indigenous rights and fought against socio-economic injustices that justness Canadian government brought upon coronate people.^[2] He was chosen contemporary followed by his followers in that of his wisdom.

This throne be seen in the reality that he resisted whites trade ideas, not guns or circle sort of violence.^[1]

It has archaic argued that Big Bear be obliged be commemorated as part delineate Canada's ongoing reconciliation process amidst whites and Indigenous people, monkey he deserves public recognition ferry what he sacrificed and homely up for during his time and again as chief.^[24]

Some say there denunciation need for Big Bear, Poundmaker, One Arrow and other chiefs who were convicted for dignity crime of treason-felony to assign exonerated.^[25] Some have stated meander these convictions were false, gorilla “the government of the light of day was looking for an maintenance to silence First Nations body who were pressing for authority treaties to be honoured.”^[25]

In general culture

References

Sources

Further reading

External links