Described by the RECON project., Poundmaker (Pihtokahanapiwiyin) was born around 1842 in the Battleford area. His mother was a mixed-blood Cree, sister of Chief Mistawasis. He was adopted by Chief Crowfoot, a Blackfoot, thereby creating family ties between two nations. He and his people settled on a reserve about forty miles west of Battleford soon after signing Treaty 6. In 1885, Poundmaker, with members of his band, traveled to Battleford to ask for rations. When they arrived, they found the community deserted and helped themselves to supplies. In response, Lieutenant-Colonel William Otter and 325 troops were sent to Cut Knife Creek, where Poundmaker and his followers were encamped. On May 2, 1885, the Battle of Cut Knife Hill took place. At one point, Otter's men were forced to withdraw. When Poundmaker heard of Louis Riel's defeat at Batoche, he surrendered and was imprisoned. Poundmaker was tried and convicted of treason in Regina, and sentenced to serve three years at Stony Mountain Penitentiary (Man.). He died in 1886 from poor health., 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.
