Big Bear

Big Bear was a Plains Cree chief. Born in 1825 near Fort Carlton, Saskatchewan, he lived through tumultuous years on the prairies. He watched the buffalo disappear, his people starve and settlers arrive in his territory. During the North West Rebellion, he tried to keep his people safe from the conflict, but without success. Having refused to sign Treaty No. 6 and continuing to make demands of the government for his people, Big Bear was labeled a troublemaker by the whites.

His supporters gradually turned toward Little Bad Man and Wandering Spirit who were keen to go to war with the NWMP and the settlers. Against Big Bear's counsel, his band met the NWMP at Frog Lake and burned down Fort Pitt. They were eventually defeated at Loon Lake.

Big Bear was held responsible for the aggressive actions of his people, even though he had been replaced as chief. He surrendered to the NWMP at Fort Carlton on July 2, 1885. Tried for treason, he was sentenced to 3 years at Stony Mountain Penitentiary. Sick and broken in spirit, Big Bear was released two years later and died in 1888.

Big Bear, at right, and other Cree chiefs.