Mistawasis

Back row, left to right: O’Soup (Chippewa Chief) and
Peter Hourie. Front row, left to right: Ah-tah-ka-koop (Starblanket), Kah-kiwistahaw (Flying in a Circle), Mistawasis (Big Child). Photo taken on October 16, 1886, on their visit for the unveiling of the Brant Memorial, October 18, 1886.


Saskatchewan Archives Board R-B2837

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Chief Mistawasis was head chief of the Prairie Tribe and was known to other Tribes as Sakkawwenowak. Traditionally, the way of life was to follow and hunt buffalo and depopulation of the herds required a survival change for the tribe. 'Our way of living is gone, there are no more buffalo, we have to find a new way to feed our people.' (Chief Mistawasis, 1876). At this point in time came the signing of Treaty #6. At the signing the government pledged 'We will never take your men across the great waters to fight our battles'. The Treaty #6 signing occurred at Fort Carlton where a monument was erected to recognize the great achievement of the first chief. With the signing of Treaty #6, Chief Mistawasis brought about a new way of life for the future of his people.