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Big Bear, also known as Mistahi-maskwa (; – 17 January 1888), was a powerful and popular Cree chief who played many pivotal roles in Canadian history. He was appointed to chief of his band at the age of 40 upon the death of his father, Black Powder, under his father's harmonious and inclusive rule which directly impacted his own leadership. Big Bear is most notable for his involvement in Treaty 6 and the 1885 North-West Rebellion; he was one of the few chief leaders who objected to the signing of the treaty with the Canadian government. He felt that signing the treaty would ultimately have devastating effects on his nation as well as other Indigenous nations. This included losing the free nomadic lifestyle that his nation and others were accustomed to. Big Bear also took part in one of the last major battles between the Cree and the Blackfoot nations, leading fighters in the last, largest battle on the Canadian Plains.
Upon reflection, Big Bear was visited by many spirits, but the bear took great prominence in his mind. As a result of his vision of the Bear Spirit, which is the most powerful spirit regarded by the Crees, he received his power bundle, song, and his name. The power bundle, which was never opened unless to be worn in war or dance, contained a fur necklace in the shape of a bear paw. It is said that when the weight of the necklace rested against his soul, it enabled him to be in a perfect power position where nothing could hurt him. This necklace was the source of his nickname Maskwa, meaning bear, and Mistahi, meaning much, or big.
It is reported that throughout Big Bear's life, he had several wives, producing at least four male children who would carry on his name, including his son Âyimisîs (Little Bad Man/Little Bear), who helped found the Montana First Nation reserve in Alberta and the Rocky Boy Reservation in Montana. There is little documentation to support the names of most of his sons.
Big Bear was described as "an independent spirit" who did not like taking direction from outsiders." He was chosen and followed by the Plains Cree because of his traditional manner and wisdom.
Traditional activities, such as hunting and warfare, kept Big Bear and his band occupied until the 1870s brought police, treaties, and the end of the buffalo.
At the height of his influence in the winter of 1878 to 1879, the buffalo that the plains peoples hunted for food did not come north.
In the early 1880s, tuberculosis became the main killer of the Indigenous people on the reserve as European settlers brought over the disease and spread it through coughing and the sharing of pipes during tobacco-smoking ceremonies. The disappearance of the bison was devastating to the Indigenous population because hunting allowed them to be self-sufficient and free from the dominion government; once the bison disappeared their need for assistance was imperative. The Canadian government was the only option of survival but this meant signing the numbered treaties which would change their culture indefinitely. During this time, Big Bear tried to withhold his signature from the treaty so that his people might get better terms but by the mid-1880s malnutrition was severe and the meagre rations given by the dominion government did not supply enough food. Big Bear was ultimately forced to sign the treaty on 8 December 1882 to save his people from starvation and disease because the dominion government would not help unless they signed. These factors contributed to the many deaths of Indigenous leaders leaving tribes without their history, which was taught by the elderly, and without men to lead their tribes changing their life from that point on.
The Battle of the Belly River was one of the largest battles that the Cree were involved in. Occurring in October 1870, Big Bear and his band were involved in an attack between the Plains Cree and their enemies, the Blackfoot tribe, at Belly River, which is near present-day Lethbridge, Alberta. Known to be the largest Indian battle to be fought on the Canadian Plains, the Blackfoot band only lost 40 warriors while the Cree lost between 200 and 300. This was the last battle to be fought between the First Nations. The decades following this battle brought an increased White settlement, as well as police and government presence and the disappearance of the buffalo.
Big Bear began talks with the Canadian government in the 1870s to work out a treaty. Big Bear was never open to the idea of reserve life, as he feared his loss of freedom and identity as a hunter. But he knew that best way for him and his band to avoid starvation was to sign a treaty with the Canadian government. By 1876, all major Plains Cree chiefs had signed Treaty 6 except for Big Bear. Big Bear stalled signing as he believed that the Canadian government would violate the treaty. Big Bear said "we want none of the Queen's presents: When we set a fox trap we scatter pieces of meat all around but when the fox gets into the trap we knock him on the head. We want no baits. Let your chiefs come like men and talk to us." Big Bear believed that the Canadian government was telling him and his fellow chiefs what they wanted to hear. This led Big Bear to resist signing and to pursue better terms for Treaty 6.
Big Bear made several attempts to warn the others against signing Treaty 6. At one point Big Bear rode by horseback to each lodge in the area urging people not to sign the treaty and not to give up the land, because it was so rich in natural resources. Big Bear also resisted publicly at both Fort Carleton and Pitt, where the treaty was being signed. Big Bear understood the importance of making the best of this treaty as it would have implications on the generations to come. Big Bear also questioned the Eurocentric worldview and new order being brought forth with these treaties.
Others tried to discredit Big Bear in his attempt to change Treaty 6. John McDougall tried on several occasions to discount him. He claimed Big Bear was an outsider, that he was not of the area and did not deserve the esteem he carried among the people of this area. This was not true, as he was a Cree but also his father was Saulteaux (the other aboriginal group present in the signing of Treaty 6). He was not an outsider but rather leader of a group of people who had elements of both cultures. Big Bear resisted signing but signed Treaty 6 in 1882. He did so because he believed he had no other choice. Big Bear believed he was betrayed by the other chiefs as they signed the treaty after all his warnings.
Big Bear's involvement in the North-West Rebellion was seen in his advocacy for a better deal with the Canadian government in terms of Treaty 6. By the late 1870s, the Plains Indigenous nations were facing starvation due to the disappearing bison herds. In 1880, Big Bear and Crowfoot founded a confederacy in order to solve their people's grievances. In 1885, the Canadian government cut off rations to force Big Bear to settle, as he was still resisting against moving his people onto a reserve.
Led by Big Bear's son Little Bad Man (AKA Little Bear) and Chief Wandering Spirit, a group of Big Bear's Cree camping near Frog Lake took matters into their own hands after receiving news that the Métis had defeated a North-West Mounted Police force at Duck Lake on 26 March 1885. On 1 April 1885, several Métis and non-Métis settlers were taken as prisoners. The following day, Wandering Spirit killed federal agent Thomas Trueman Quinn, who had denied his people food rations. Although Big Bear tried to stop the violence, the Cree fighters killed nine more men. This became known as the Frog Lake Massacre. Once news spread of this incident, the Canadian government decided to hold Big Bear responsible as an active participant in the massacre and the Metis rebellion, even though at that point he had not personally participated and had no control over some members of his band.
As Big Bear delayed making the choice of a reserve, he lost influence over his people. Cree Chief Wandering Spirit rose in authority among the band. After Métis initiated the North-West Rebellion of 1885 under Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont, Big Bear and his band played a minimal role in the overall uprising. Big Bear's son Little Bear joined with Chief Wandering Spirit to go to Frog Lake and kill some of the white residents.
Big Bear voluntarily surrendered to the North-West Mounted Police at Fort Carlton on 2 July 1885.
Big Bear tried to solve the problems between his people and the Canadian government peacefully. Many hoped Big Bear would be found 'not guilty' as he had tried to stop the massacre at Frog Lake and had tried to protect the white hostages that were taken prisoner.
His friend, Henry Ross Halpin, testified at his trial saying that he was just as much of a prisoner as he himself had been. At the time of the trial, Big Bear was 60 years old. The trial was confusing for Big Bear as the trial was in English, and had to be translated into Cree. Hugh Dempsey stated in his book that Stanley Simpson, a man who was taken prisoner at Fort Pitt, was the only man to appear for the prosecution. Much of the evidence supported Big Bear's innocence. The evidence was clear that Big Bear had not taken part in killings at Frog Lake or the looting and taking of hostages at Fort Pitt.
However, judge Hugh Richardson found Big Bear guilty of treason-felony. He was sentenced to three years at Stony Mountain Penitentiary in Manitoba.
It has been argued that Big Bear should be commemorated as part of Canada's ongoing reconciliation process between whites and Indigenous people, as he deserves public recognition for what he sacrificed and stood up for during his time as chief.
Some say there is need for Big Bear, Poundmaker, One Arrow and other chiefs who were convicted for the crime of treason-felony to be exonerated. Some have stated that these convictions were false, as “the government of the day was looking for an excuse to silence First Nations leaders who were pressing for the treaties to be honoured.”
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