Big Bear fought to get Cree fair deal
Big Bear, a Cree chief at the time of the extermination of the buffalo, was renowned for his determination to negotiate a fair treaty for his people with the Canadian government while it implemented a starvation policy for control.
Mistihai’muskwa (1825-1888) delayed signing for four years to see if Canada would honour the treaty it had made with other Crees, Saulteaux, Dakota and Dene in presentday Saskatchewan and Alberta.
By then, in 1882, the buffalo population had collapsed from unregulated overhunting caused by demand for meat and hides from settlers and traders. The resulting starvation and lack of hides for clothing and shelter created a crisis for the plains people, still indignant over Canada paying Hudson’s Bay Company $1.5 million in 1869 for eight million square kilometres of land as if it were Canada’s to buy.
The government exploited the people’s growing desperation and negotiated treaties that gave Canada unfettered use of the land in exchange for addressing some of the problems, promising food during famine, no interference with traditional hunting, land for their exclusive use and help adopting farming to replace their lost way of life.
Big Bear’s peaceful appeals to negotiate better terms and treatment were ignored; he signed the treaty to prevent more starvation deaths, but the government withheld food to force him onto a reserve.
Frustrated warriors among his followers murdered nine settlers at Frog Lake and burnt Fort Pitt in 1885. Six warriors were hanged as a result.
Big Bear was convicted of inciting rebellion and served two years at Stony Mountain Penitentiary. He died soon after his release.
As we celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017, the Leader-Post is telling the stories of 150 Saskatchewan people who helped shape the nation. Send your suggestions or feedback to sask150@postmedia.com.