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POUNDMAKER
(Pitikwahanapiwiyn),
Plains Cree (1842 - July 4, 1886)
Poundmaker was born in 1842, the
magic of a Shaman in his blood. He signed treaty six in deference to the
will of his people. They settled on the reserve but all treaty promises
were broken. His people could not learn to be farmers when no ploughs,
farm animals, seed, etc., was forthcoming. The people starved.
With news of the Métis success at Duck Lake in March 1885, Pitikwahanapiwiyin decided to utilize the unrest and fears of government
agents to negotiate necessary supplies. Joined by the Stonies, the Cree
went to Battleford. His enemies claimed he’d come to kill and conquer.
He’d come to plead for food and rations. Indian Agent Rae said no.
Hungry and frustrated, some of Cree and Stonies began looting the empty
homes looking for food, Poundmaker couldn’t stop them. They moved west to
the Poundmaker reserve and established a large camp east of Cutknife
Creek. Lieutenant-Colonel Otter attacked the camp in the early morning
of 2 May 1885. After seven hours of fighting, the Cree forced Otter to
withdraw. The soldiers had a Gatling Gun, Poundmaker had his brilliant Warrior
Chief, Kamiokisihkwew (Fine Day).
Poundmaker managed to stop his warriors from attacking the retreating troops. “We
have fought, saved ourselves, our women and children. Let them go.”
He wanted to go to Devil’s Lake, but the warriors said no and took the
people to join Riel at Batoche. They captured a wagon train carrying
supplies for Colonel Otter's column. Poundmaker again prevented
bloodshed and the twenty-one teamsters captured along with the wagons
were taken prisoner and not killed.
They didn’t reach Batoche, it was too late, the Metis lost, Riel
captured. Poundmaker as Peace Chief contacted Major-General
Middleton asking for peace terms.
"Everything that is bad has been laid against me this summer, there is
nothing of it true....Had I wanted war, I would not be here now. I would
be on the prairie. You did not catch me. I gave myself up. You have got
me because I wanted justice."
In August 1885 he was branded a traitor and sentenced to three years in
the Stony Mountain Penitentiary in Manitoba. They sent him home after
seven months his health broken. He died on American Independence Day,
July 4, 1886.
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