Collection search - Beardy and Big Bear, 1885. Two sub-leaders of the Rebellion

Removed from: album: Berkeley Powell Scrpbook, Vol. IV, page 13
Kamdyistowesit or Beardy, literally little moustache (in French Barbu) was the chief of the Willow band of the Plains Cree. Kamdyistowesit was born about 1828 probably near Duck Lake (Sask.) and died April 16, 1889 at the Beardy Reserve (Sask.).
Mistahimaskwa (Big Bear, or Gros Ours in French) was a Plains Cree chief born about 1825, probably near Fort Carlton (Sask.). He signed Treaty 6 in order to obtain minimal food supplies for his people from the Canadian government. Big Bear and his supporters played a role in the 1885 insurgency. He died January 17, 1888 on the Poundmaker Reserve (Sask.).
The North-West Rebellion (or North-West Resistance) was a five-month insurgency against the Canadian government, fought mainly by the Métis and their First Nations allies.