Chief Yellow Quill facts for kids
Chief Yellow Quill was an important leader of the Plains Ojibway people. His Ojibway name was O-zah-wah-sko-gwan-na-be, which means "Blue Quill" and "Green Quill." He worked to protect his people's land and way of life in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. He became a key leader in the 1860s. He may have been involved in the short conflict known as the Red River Rebellion in 1869-1870. After this conflict, Canadian officials knew they needed to talk with Chief Yellow Quill.
The Portage Band and Treaty 1
O-zah-wah-sko-gwan-na-be was the leader of a group of Plains Ojibways called the Portage Band. A problem arose within the band when a young leader, who was the rightful heir to a powerful family position, took control. To prevent serious disagreements among his people, Chief Yellow Quill acted quickly. He signed Treaty 1, an agreement that set aside land for three First Nations of the Portage Band in southern Manitoba. These are the Long Plain, Sandy Bay, and Swan Lake First Nations. Chief Yellow Quill understood that internal disputes could weaken his people. He knew this would only benefit the new settlers. So, he began to move some Ojibway people westward into Saskatchewan.
Moving West: The Exodus
In the early and mid-1870s, there were many disagreements among the Plains Ojibways in southern Manitoba. This made leaders like Chief O-zah-wah-sko-gwan-na-be and his advisor, Chief Kinistin, very concerned. They decided to lead another large movement of people, an "exodus," into the Qu'Appelle Valley in Saskatchewan. The Canadian government was not happy about this. They had to negotiate with Chief O-zah-wah-sko-gwan-na-be again.
Chief Yellow Quill then signed an addition to Treaty 4. This agreement created the Fishing Lake and Nut Lake First Nations in Saskatchewan. However, Chief O-zah-wah-sko-gwan-na-be knew that many Ojibway people in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan were still unhappy. He likely told Chief Kinistin to lead another group of Ojibway people even further north and west. There is even a First Nation in Alberta called the Blue Quill First Nation, named after him. In 1885, Chief Kinistin led this group north into the caribou lands of the Dene people. This area is far north of places like Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, and Flin Flon, Manitoba, today.
Later Life and Legacy
Chief Yellow Quill did not stay permanently in Saskatchewan. He eventually returned to his homeland in Manitoba. He lived the rest of his life on the Swan Lake First Nation in southern Manitoba. He passed away there in 1910 from natural causes. In 1989, the Nut Lake First Nation in Saskatchewan changed its name to the Yellow Quill First Nation, honoring his leadership and legacy.
