Poundmaker
Poundmaker was a prominent chief of the Plains Cree First Nation, born around 1842 in central Saskatchewan, Canada. He was the son of a notable Nakoda shaman and a Métis mother, and after losing his parents at a young age, he was raised by Cree relatives. Poundmaker’s influence grew after he was adopted by the Siksika chief, Crowfoot, reflecting his significant role in intertribal relations. He participated in the negotiations for Treaty 6 in 1876, advocating for better agricultural support and disaster relief for his people, although he later expressed skepticism about the treaty's fulfillment by the colonial government.
In the face of unmet treaty promises, Poundmaker became increasingly vocal on behalf of the Cree, particularly during the tensions leading to the 1885 North-West Rebellion. After an altercation in his community escalated, he attempted to negotiate for food supplies but was met with violence from government forces. Despite initial military successes, Poundmaker's forces faced defeat and he ultimately surrendered. He was later tried for treason, a conviction which he contested on the grounds of his peace efforts, but was found guilty and sentenced to prison. Poundmaker died in 1886, leaving a legacy as a leader who sought to protect the interests of his people amidst colonial pressures.
Subject Terms
Poundmaker
Plains Cree chief
- Born: ca. 1842
- Birthplace: central Saskatchewan
- Died: July 4, 1886
- Place of death: Blackfoot Crossing, Alberta
Contribution: Chief Pitikwahanapiwiyin, or Poundmaker, was a prominent chief of the Plains Cree Nation that resides in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Regarded as a peacekeeper and strong defender of the Cree people, he played a significant role as a spokesperson at the Treaty 6 negotiations, arguing for increased protection for the Crees.
Early Life
Poundmaker was born around 1842 in the area of Canada now known as central Saskatchewan. He was the son of a well-known shaman from the Nakoda tribe and a Métis mother. His maternal uncle was the influential Cree chief Mistawasis (Big Child). When Poundmaker and his siblings were still young, their parents died and the children were raised by their Cree relatives.
In 1873, after the Plains Crees and the neighboring Siksika (Blackfoot) tribe entered into a peace treaty, the Siksika chief Isapo-Muxika, or Crowfoot, encountered Poundmaker and, in accordance with Plains custom, adopted him for his resemblance to a son who had died in battle. Upon Poundmaker’s return to the Crees, he had significant influence with the Siksikas.
Treaty 6
In 1876, the colonial government entered into negotiations with the indigenous people of central Saskatchewan in what became known as Treaty 6, one of the most important and controversial treaties between the colonial government and the aboriginal peoples in the 1870s and 1880s. In exchange for their land in Alberta and Saskatchewan, the colonial government provided the Plains and Woodland Crees with smaller areas of reserve land, as well as farm animals and tools to aid their transition from hunting to farming.
At the negotiations, Poundmaker served as a minor chief of the River People band under Pihew-kamihkosit (Red Pheasant). He opposed the treaty, arguing that his nation’s land should not be given away, and that if land were to be given, the government must be required to provide the native populations with farming instruction and assistance to prevent starvation following the disappearance of the bison and other game animals.
Under Poundmaker’s influence, Treaty 6 was amended to provide more agricultural supplies and to include a famine disaster relief clause. Although he continued to express skepticism and remained critical of the treaty, on August 23, 1876, at the insistence of his band, Poundmaker signed the treaty. In 1879, Poundmaker accepted a reserve located roughly forty miles west of Battleford, Saskatchewan, and settled there with 182 followers.
Spokesperson for the Cree Nation
The government failed to fulfill the promises made in Treaty 6. In 1883, rations were cut, and delivery of supplies was delayed. Frustrated and worried about his people, Poundmaker became an active participant in politics, speaking on behalf of the Crees with the Canadian government and at interband meetings. In June 1884, a Thirst Dance was held on Poundmaker’s reserve to discuss the dire situation. However, violence nearly broke out when the police arrived in pursuit of an aboriginal man accused of attacking a farm instructor. Peace was maintained through the efforts of Poundmaker and Cree chief Mistahimaskwa (Big Bear).
After learning of the Métis resistance movement’s victory at Duck Lake, Poundmaker decided to travel to Fort Battleford to negotiate for needed supplies and food rations. However, the town was deserted. When the government agent there refused to meet with Poundmaker, the young warriors of his band, known as the Rattler Society, took control and ransacked the village.
In turn, on May 2, 1885, Lieutenant-Colonel William Dillon Otter’s military force attacked Poundmaker’s camp. After seven hours of fighting, Otter’s forces were defeated, and his soldiers were forced to retreat. Poundmaker prevented his warriors from pursuing Otter’s forces.
Following the attack, the Métis, led by Louis Riel, convinced Poundmaker’s warriors to unite with Riel’s forces at Batoche. Poundmaker tried his best to persuade the band to retreat to Devil’s Lake rather than participate in the fighting, but to no avail. On the way to Batoche, the warriors learned that Riel had been arrested and the troops defeated. Poundmaker sent notice of his desire to negotiate a peace settlement; however, he and his followers were forced to surrender unconditionally on May 26, 1885.
Final Years
In July 1885, Poundmaker was accused of planning a rebellion against the colonial government and was tried for treason in Regina. He attempted to persuade the jurors that he had worked for peace, but they were not convinced. He was found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison but only served one. In 1886, Poundmaker died of a lung hemorrhage.
Bibliography
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Dempsey, Hugh A. “Pītikwahanapiwīyin (Poundmaker).” Dictionary of Canadian Biography. U of Toronto/Université Laval, 2013. Web. 31 July 2013.
Gibbons, Lillian. “Poundmaker.” Manitoba Pageant 6.1 (1960): n.pag. Manitoba Historical Society. Web. 31 July 2013.
“Poundmaker (Pitikwahanapiwiyin).” Treaty 6. HCF Alberta Online Encyclopedia, 8 Dec. 2010. Web. 31 July 2013.
“Poundmaker, ‘Pitikwahanapiwiyin,’ b. 1842 d. 1886.” First Nations and Métis. HCF Alberta Online Encyclopedia, 8 Dec. 2010. Web. 31 July 2013.
Redish, Laura, and Orrin Lewis. “Native American Facts for Kids: Cree Tribe.” Native Languages of the Americas. Native Languages of the Americas, 2013. Web. 31 July 2013.
“Treaty Number Six, 1876.” Canada in the Making. Canadiana.org, n.d. Web. 31 July 2013.