Mosomin

Mosomin was a Cree/Sauteaux Chief that signed Treaty Six in 1879, after their previous Chief, Yellow Sky refused to sign at Fort Pitt in 1876. In June of 1884 Mosomin and his followers attended the thirst dance at Poundmaker's reserve to discuss treaty grievances, but they did not take part in the rebellion of 1885.

During the rebellion Mosomin and his followers left their reserve to hunt for food, and avoided hostilities until they reached Battleford and attempted to visit the town for supplies. However, some non Native inhabitants of Battleford feared a siege and took refuge within the North West Mounted Police Fort. At one point when Mosomin arrived at the fort ("To keep up a communication") he was mistakenly fired upon. After this incident he wore the British flag, "to show that he and his had no sympathy with the followers of louis Riel."

Mosomin and his followers excelled at agriculture, keeping a surplus and at one point buying one hundred sheep. However, after the 1890s government policies restricted Native peoples farming efforts to ensure that they did not compete with non Native farmers.

Sources: Dictionary of Canadian Biography, Volume XIII, pp. 721-722.