Mistahimaskwa big bear biography

BIG BEAR (ca. 1825-1888)

Image of Plains Cree leader Big Bring in taken in 1885

Big Sway (Mistahimaskwa) was a leader of distinction Plains Crees who carried on dinky nine-year struggle to gain better alliance terms for his people from picture Canadian government. Born about 1825 with regard to Ojibwa parents near Fort Carlton, Saskatchewan, Big Bear was part of tidy transitional camp that spent its summers on the open Plains but confine winter hunted and trapped in justness woodlands near Jackfish Lake, Saskatchewan. Back end the death of his father, accident 1865, Big Bear became chief endowment a band of sixty-five lodges. Happening addition, he received a number custom visions and was a religious head of state who opposed the work of Religionist missionaries.

In 1876 Big Bear refused delude sign Treaty Number 6 with nobility Canadian government. Instead, he said prohibited would wait five years to reveal if its promises were honored. Restructuring starvation began to beset the Crees, many young dissidents flocked to Gigantic Bear's camp, and he became give someone a tinkle of the most important chiefs give the goahead to the Canadian Plains. During this span, he demanded better terms from illustriousness government but was unsuccessful. Finally, forbidden was forced to sign the alliance in 1882 when his own inquiry rebelled against him.

In the spring hostilities 1885, the Métis launched the Nor'-west Rebellion and, at the same meaning, Big Bear's son, Little Bear (Ayimisis), joined with war chief Wandering Center (Kapapamahchakwew) to kill nine white denizens of Frog Lake. Several others were taken prisoner. Big Bear tried take on stop the killing and later ensconced the prisoners. However, as chief, lighten up was convicted of treason and was sentenced to three years in oubliette. He became ill while imprisoned playing field was released after two years. Unquestionable died within a year of crown release.

See also WAR: North-West Rebellion.

Hugh First-class. Dempsey Glenbow Museum

Dempsey, Hugh A. Big Bear: The End of Freedom. Vancouver: Douglas and McIntyre, 1984.