Mistahi-maskwa ᒥᐢᑕᐦᐃᒪᐢᑿ: Chief “Big Bear” was appointed to chief of his band at the age of 40 upon the death of his father, Black Powder. He was part of one of the largest battles against the Blackfoot, the Battle of belly river, which the Cree lost. He was often called upon to defend his people and was well liked among them, and was one of the few Cree Chiefs against signing Treaties with the Crown, due to the fear it would hinder Cree life and freedom.
Pîhtokahanapiwiyin ᐲᐦᑐᑲᐦᐊᓇᐱᐏᔨᐣ: Known as a peacemaker and one of the most famous Cree Chiefs, Poundmaker was a signatory of Treaty 6 and a defender of his people. He was named for his talent in making Buffalo Pounds, structures made to capture and hunt Bison. In 1885, during the Metis Rebellion his band was attacked by Canadian troops and a battle ensued. After the rebellion was suppressed, he surrendered and was convicted of treason and imprisoned. Most actions Poundmaker took were done so with the hopes of achieving peace for his people, which ultimately led to him signing Treaty Six, despite his initial hesitancy. After his arrest, he was recounted as saying “You did not catch me, I gave myself up. I wanted peace”.
Miyo-Kîsikaw ᒥᔪᑮᓯᑲᐤ: Chief and powerful Medicine Man of the River Cree people in Saskatchewan, Fine Day was a well known warrior of the Cree. He took part in the Northwest Rebellion and Battle of Cut Knife, and acted as Battle Chief on behalf of Chief Poundmaker, though when his warriors had the upper hand on retreating Canadian soldiers, he was restrained by Poundmaker from attacking and obeyed. He was called “brave in all things” and his memories of the North-West Rebellion were published by the Canadian North-West Historical Society in 1926
Ahtahkakohp ᐊᑖᐦᑲᑯᐦᑊ: Known in Enlgish as “Star Blanket”, was a Chief of the House Cree near Fort Carlton in Saskatchewan, and was a signatory of Treaty 6 alongside his friend Mistawasis (”big child”). Star-Blanket signed the treaty with the hopes that Crees could live peacefully alongside settlers, and that adapting a new way of life would ensure their survival during the buffalo’s onsetting extinction. He was known as a heavily capable and good leader, and Ahtahkakoop First Nation Reserve is named after him.
Kapepamahcakwew ᑲᐯᐸᒪᐦᒐᑵᐤ: Taking more of a military approach, Wandering Spirit was Big Bear’s War Chief who was in favor of a more aggressive resistance to colonialism on Cree territory, and took part in the Frog Lake Massacre, which Big Bear was against. Wandering Spirit did so due to the local Crees starving and being denied food by the Indian Agent, who was known for being cruel. Wandering Spirit was hanged alongside seven other Crees who took part in the fight, and is rumored to have sung a love song to his wife on the gallows.
Payipwât ᐸᔨᑇᐟ: Also known as “Flash in the Sky”, Payipwat or “Piapot” was so named due to being kidnapped by the Dakota as a child, and then returned to his people with much knowledge of them. Piapot became a spiritual leader of the Cree-Assiniboine / Young Dogs Band, a mighty band and division of the Downstream People in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. He advocated for his people to be moved to the Cypress hills for their safety due to ongoing colonialism, and became an advocate for Treaty Rights for Crees after being pressured into becoming a signatory of Treaty 4.
Piyesew-Awasis ᐯᔭᓯᐤᐊᐘᓯᐢ: Another signatory for Treaty 6, Thunderchild initially did not approve of the treaties for the same reason as Big Bear, and was a member of Mistawasis “Big Child”’s band. After some negotiations, Thunderchild evenually signed onto Treaty 6. Due to oncoming starvation and issues, Thunderchild’s band moved in to live with Poundmaker’s band, though he refused to participate in Poundmaker’s warriors in the Northwest Rebellion. Thunderchild became a fierce defender of Cree culture, religion, education, and treaty rights.
Asiniiwin ᐊᓯᓃᐏᐣ: Also translated to mean “Stone Child”, Rocky Boy was the son of Chief Bobtail, and was the leader of the Cree-Chippewa in Montana. Crees had recently gone South from Alberta in hopes of finding Bison and avoiding starvation. Rocky Boy was generally called well liked, well recieved, and well recommended by many in the area, and is known for his legacy of attempting to do well by his people and keep the peace. However, it is also rumored he was assassinated. He did not see the establishment of the reservation where he led, but Rocky Boy Reserve in Montana is named for him.
