Pitikwahanapiwiyin (Poundmaker)

Pitikwahanapiwiyin (Poundmaker) was born in 1842 in present day central Saskatchewan to a Stoney father, Sikakwayen (Skunk Skin) and a mother of mixed blood ancestry. Poundmaker’s Uncle was Mistawasis (Big Child), a leading Plains Cree chief in the Eagle Hill, Alberta area.

In 1873, Poundmaker was adopted by the Blackfoot chief Crowfoot because he reminded Crowfoot’s wife of one of their dead sons. Poundmaker went to live with Crowfoot and he was given the name Mayoki-yoh-kin (Wolf Thin Legs).

Poundmaker attended the Treaty 6 negotiations at Fort Carlton as a minor chief of Pihew-kamihkosit (Red Pheasant). At the negotiations, Poundmaker was elected to talk on behalf of some of the younger Cree chiefs who disagreed with the terms of the Treaty. Poundmaker claimed the Treaty did not provide for future generations, nor did it provide the Cree with enough assistance by which to learn how to farm. As a result of Poundmaker’s request, Alexander Morris, the Treaty Commissioner, agreed to give the Cree more farming implements, agricultural supplies and he also put in a disaster relief clause.

Poundmaker signed Treaty 6 on August 23, 1876 and he settled on a reserve in 1879 where the Battle River and Cut Knife Creek join, some 40 miles west of Battleford. In 1881, Poundmaker was chosen to accompany the Marquess of Lorne during his trip of the western prairies. The two developed a deep respect for each other and Poundmaker was so impressed by Lorne, that he urged his people to keep the peace with the European settlers.

In 1884, Poundmaker hosted a council at his reserve that included Big Bear, Little Pine and others. Despite the NWMP’s efforts to halt the council and the thirst dance that followed, the event went on. At one point, John Craig, Little Pine’s Farm Instructor, was attacked by two of Lucky Man’s sons after he refused to give one of them rations. The NWMP attempted to arrest the two men during the thirst dance, but a crisis was averted thanks to the efforts of Poundmaker and others.

During the 1885 North-West Resistance, Poundmaker led his people to Battleford to try and obtain rations, but some of his men plundered the village. The Canadian militia would attack Poundmaker’s camp in response to the incident at Battleford, but they were soundly defeated at Cut Knife Hill, which was adjacent to Poundmaker’s Reserve. Poundmaker saved many militia members from dying during the Battle at Cut Knife Hill as he stopped some of his warriors from chasing after the fleeing and defeated militia men. On May 26, Poundmaker, who was now seen as a rebel by the Federal government, surrendered and he was later sentenced to thee years in prison at Stoney Mountain Penitentiary. Poundmaker became sick however and was released after serving one year. Poundmaker died four months later, while visiting his adopted father Crowfoot on the Blackfoot reserve.

Sources - Dictionary of Canadian Biography, Volume XI, pp. 695-697.