A-ca-oo-mah-ca-ye facts for kids

Ackomokki or A-ca-oo-mah-ca-ye (ᖳᖿ ᖱᒍᑊᖿᔪ, meaning Old Swan) was the name of three important leaders of the Siksiká people. These chiefs lived between the late 1700s and 1860. The Siksiká are part of the larger Blackfoot Confederacy, a group of Native American tribes in North America.

Ackomokki I: The Peacemaker

The first Ackomokki (who died in January 1795) was a very respected leader. People from his own tribe and other nearby tribes looked up to him. He was known as a peacemaker. He believed in trading with European newcomers.

At this time, the Blackfoot Confederacy was very strong. They controlled a large area. This area is now parts of Montana, Alberta, and western Saskatchewan. Ackomokki understood that trading directly with Europeans would help his people. It would allow them to get goods without needing other tribes as middlemen. As he got older, he stepped down as chief. But he remained a wise elder until he died in 1795.

Ackomokki II: The Explorer's Friend

Ackomokki's son (who died in October 1814) also became a chief. Fur traders often called him "Feathers" or "Many Swans." This helped them tell him apart from his father. After his father retired, there was a disagreement over who should lead the tribe. Ackomokki's son wanted to continue his father's peaceful ways. Another leader, Big Man, was less friendly towards traders and other tribes.

Even though Ackomokki's son was a strong warrior, he chose peace. He worked to keep good relationships with the nearby Cree and Assiniboine peoples. He also kept peace with European traders. Big Man, however, was openly unfriendly. He even took part in an attack on a trading post in 1793.

In 1800, Ackomokki allowed the Hudson's Bay Company to build a trading post. This post was called Chesterfield House. It was built where the Red Deer and South Saskatchewan Rivers meet. This was in the Siksiká's winter hunting grounds. By 1810, Ackomokki was recognized as the leader of most of the Siksiká people.

Around 1801, Ackomokki helped a mapmaker named Peter Fidler. He drew a detailed map of the lands around the Upper Missouri River. This map showed rivers, mountains, and how long it took to travel between places. It also had information about 32 different tribes. These drawings were later used in a famous map of North America. Ackomokki's maps were very helpful for the Hudson's Bay Company. They helped the company expand its trading activities.

In October 1814, Ackomokki was killed in a conflict. He was killed by someone from another tribe, possibly a Kainai or Peigan person.

Ackomokki III: A New Leader

A third chief named Old Swan (who died in 1859 or 1860) took over leadership around 1822. He might have been the son or nephew of the second Ackomokki. Europeans called his group "Old Feathers' Band."

In 1858, a doctor named James Hector described him. He said this Old Swan was one of the three main chiefs of the Blackfoot Confederacy. The other two were Crowfoot and Na-to-sa-pi. In July 1859, explorers from the Palliser Expedition visited his camp. It was located on the Red Deer River.