Pitikwahanapiwiyin (Poundmaker) was a great leader who fought for peace and dignity of the Cree people during a time of great hardship and unrest in Saskatchewan. In the middle and late 1880s, more and more white settlers came to the Prairies, displacing and outright killing the great herds of bison that once roamed the Plains. The First Nations were suffering and many starving as their way of life was changing forever.
Poundmaker came from the Battlefords area and was known for his healing abilities and peacemaking skills. In his early thirties, he was adopted by Chief Crowfoot of the Blackfoot nation, creating an alliance between the two peoples that had clashed in the past over the dwindling bison populations.
In 1876, Poundmaker came to the fore as one of the principal delegates during the Treaty Six talks held at Fort Carlton. Despite successfully negotiating a clause to protect his people in the event of famine, Poundmaker still expressed grave concerns with the treaty, but signed it in August of that year because a majority of his band supported it.
Poundmaker became Chief in 1879 and the situation became increasingly grim as food supplies shrank and frustrations continued to rise. Many felt government were violating the treaty by not supplying agreed-upon rations. Under the leadership of Chief Big Bear, more than 2000 people gathered at the Poundmaker reserve in 1884 to talk about the growing problem and to conduct a Thirst Dance (Sun Dance). When the North West Mounted Police arrived to pursue another matter during the dance, tempers flared and an all-out melee was only avoided when Poundmaker and Big Bear intervened to restore order.
The food situation continued to worsen, Poundmaker decided askt the government for food supplies for his people. He travelled to Battleford to meet with the Indian Agent, but found only a deserted town and a refusal to meet from the agent. Frustrations exploded and several Battlefords houses were looted, despite Poundmaker's efforts to restrain his men. The bands later moved to Poundmaker Reserve and made camp near Cut Knife Creek, joined by several others from the Assiniboine reserve.
The government dispatched Lieutenant-Colonel William Otter with more than 300 soldiers to put down the Cree encampment. Although Poundmaker remained the political leader of the group, war chief Fine Day erected a soldier's lodge at the Cut Knife camp, effectively taking over as war chief of the Band. A battle took place May 2, 1885. Small warrior groups repeatedly advanced and retreated, raining continued attacks on the government forces and making it almost impossible for Otter to determine where to counter-attack or even how many he fought. Fine Day successfully outflanked the military, and Otter decided to retreat. Warriors readied themselves to attack the retreating soldiers, but Poundmaker successfully convinced them to allow Otter's troops to escape and retreat back to Battleford.
Despite a decisive victory for Poundmaker's Band, the military held out during other battles over the next few weeks even as the Cree people continued to starve. Poundmaker sent word to General Middleton who led the military, asking for peace terms. He went to Fort Battleford on May 26 to surrender his arms and was immediately taken into custody.
Poundmaker was later tried and convicted of treason and sentenced to three years at a penitentiary in Manitoba. He was released after serving only seven months due to ill health. He passed away of a lung haemorrhage while visiting with Chief Crowfoot in 1886. He was buried at Blackfoot Crossing near Gleichen, Alberta, but his remains were later returned to their final resting place at the top of Cut Knife Hill.
Poundmaker is reported to have said at his trial that "Everything that is bad has been laid against me this summer, there is nothing of it true...Had I wanted war, I would not be here now. I should be on the prairie. You did not catch me. I gave myself up. You have got me because I wanted justice." (Sessional Papers from Canadian Parliament, 1886; and "Reminiscences" by Louis Cochin, 1927)
Poundmaker's legacy as a peacemaker and great leader is still remembered to this day. The Chief Poundmaker Historical Centre offers a wealth of information about Poundmaker himself, the events of 1840 and 1885 and the rich history of the people of the Poundmaker Cree Nation. Museum staff offer tours of their facility as well as of Poundmaker's grave, the monument to Chief Big Bear and the battle site at Cut Knife Hill, sixteen kilometres north of Battleford.
This summer, the Poundmaker Cree Nation will host a week of events to commemorate the signing of historic treaties in the Canadian west. Treaty Annuities Day will be held on June 28, including a Grand Parade of Nations, a ceremonial ride and honouring ceremony at Chief Poundmaker Monument, with the official signing of the Socio-Economic Protocol among First Nations. Over the next few days, the "Medicine Chest" Task Force will gather for a forum on treaty nations, health and wellness and intergovernmental issues. The highlight of the week will be on July 2, with a re-enactment of the battle of Cut Knife Hill, complete with period dress and participants from Poundmaker Cree Nation and surrounding First Nations, Parks Canada, the RCMP and the Canadian Forces. The Poundmaker International Pow Wow will take place from July 2 to 4, with world-class dance and song competitions and a traditional arts and crafts expo. Organizers are expecting thousands of visitors from across North America to attend the Poundmaker celebrations.
For more information:
Poundmaker Cree Nation (www.sicc.sk.ca/bands/bpound.html)
Chief Poundmaker Historical Centre (www.saskmuseums.org)
Pow Wow Nations (powwownations.blogspot.com)
