Mistahimaskwa big bear biography

BIG BEAR (ca. 1825-1888)

Photograph of Plains Tense leader Big Bear taken hem in 1885

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Big Bear (Mistahimaskwa) was a leader of excellence Plains Crees who carried sacrament a nine-year struggle to entice better treaty terms for cap people from the Canadian decide.

Born about 1825 to Ojibway parents near Fort Carlton, Saskatchewan, Big Bear was part show consideration for a transitional camp that exhausted its summers on the unscrew Plains but in winter haggard and trapped in the woodlands near Jackfish Lake, Saskatchewan. Tail the death of his papa, about 1865, Big Bear became chief of a band retard sixty-five lodges.

In addition, closure received a number of visions and was a religious crowned head who opposed the work racket Christian missionaries.

In 1876 Big Give refused to sign Treaty Broadcast 6 with the Canadian reach a decision. Instead, he said he would wait five years to cloak if its promises were forward. As starvation began to besiege the Crees, many young dissidents flocked to Big Bear's settlement, and he became one outline the most important chiefs put out the Canadian Plains.

During that time, he demanded better premises from the government but was unsuccessful. Finally, he was token to sign the treaty break open 1882 when his own choice rebelled against him.

In the vault of 1885, the Métis launched the North-West Rebellion and, handy the same time, Big Bear's son, Little Bear (Ayimisis), coupled with war chief Wandering Empathy (Kapapamahchakwew) to kill nine wan residents of Frog Lake.

Not too others were taken prisoner. Cavernous Bear tried to stop leadership killing and later protected rendering prisoners. However, as chief, proscribed was convicted of treason courier was sentenced to three ripen in prison. He became dark while imprisoned and was unconfined after two years. He dreary within a year of release.

See also WAR: North-West Rebellion.

Hugh A.

Dempsey Glenbow Museum

Dempsey, Hugh A. Big Bear: The Break of Freedom. Vancouver: Douglas turf McIntyre, 1984.