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Summer Issue Volume: 25
June / July 2019
“We must acknowledge the wrongs of the past.” PM Justin Trudeau exonerates Chief Poundmaker
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Poundmaker Cree Nation Chief Dwayne Antoine accompanied by First Nations leaders for exoneration ceremony. Photo Credit: Stick Antoine On May 23, 2019, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited the Poundmaker Reservation to exonerate the late Chief Poundmaker. This was a long-awaited moment of justice for many indigenous people in the country and the declaration came after 13 ½ decades of treasonous allegations levelled at the peacemaker. Chief Poundmaker (Cree name Pîhtokahanapiwiyin) gained his notoriety for his special ability to lure Buffalo into pounds. He made a name for himself during the 1876 Treaty 6 negotiations where he splitoff from his home reserve - known as Red Pheasant - to form his own. This is now known as Poundmaker First Nation. At the time, Poundmaker was frustrated with years of the Canadian Government reneging on negotiations. In 1881, Poundmaker travelled to Fort Battleford with the aim to peacefully speak with government officials about his concerns. But no one would come out to speak with him. Poundmaker and his people remained nearby - camped near Cut Knife. But back in Battleford, there were lootings occurring. And Poundmaker and his people
were blamed for the violence even though evidence suggests that settlers were the culprits. On May 2, 1885, Poundmaker’s group was attacked by over 300 men from the Canadian army. After a battle, the army retreated, Poundmaker called his people off and stopped them from pursuing and further killing the troops. This occurred during the waning days of the North-West Rebellion – a contentious moment in history. Led by Louis Riel, the Métis felt Canada was not protecting their rights and their land. There was fear their survival as a distinct people was being pushed away. It was a brief and unsuccessful uprising and the result was the permanent enforcement of Canadian law in the West as well as the suppression of Indigenous Peoples. It also led to the conviction and hanging of Louis Riel. Chief Poundmaker was convicted and jailed later in 1885. He and other First Nations leaders were accused of instigating violence in the North-West Rebellion earlier that year. Proponents have long called for his acquittal. Nonetheless, Poundmaker peacefully sur-
rendered at Fort Battleford and was jailed for 7 months. Here his health deteriorated, and he died in 1886. Prime Minister Trudeau spoke to those in attendance saying if the Government of Canada is to move forward on the path of reconciliation, it must acknowledge the wrongs of the past. “Today, our government acknowledges that Chief Poundmaker was peacemaker who never stopped fighting for peace. A leader who, time and time again, sought to prevent further loss of life in the growing conflict in the Prairies,” Trudeau said. “I am here today, on behalf of the government of Canada, to confirm without reservation that Chief Poundmaker is fully exonerated of any crime or wrongdoing.” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s formal apology also included an exoneration ceremony. He was joined by Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett, Assembly of First Nations Chief Perry Bellegarde as well as other Indigenous leaders. This is a major step for the people of Poundmaker First Nation. For 134 years,
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they never stopped working to educate Canadians and rewrite history through the rehabilitation of the battlefield, museums, media presentations and formal presentation of their concerns to the Canadian Government. And finally, according to those who fought to clear Poundmaker’s name, Pîhtokahanapiwiyin will now be seen for the man that he was.
Chief Poundmaker Photo Credit: Liam Richards / The Canadian Press
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