Crowfoot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Crowfoot
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| Isapo-Muxika | |
Chief Crowfoot ca. 1885
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| Born | 1830 |
| Died | 25 April 1890 (aged 59–60) |
| Nationality | Siksika (adopted) Kainai/Blood (born) Blackfoot Confederacy |
| Other names | Shot close (baby name) Bear Ghost (boy name) Packs A Knife (former warrior name) |
| Known for | Chief of the Siksika First Nation, warrior, peacemaker |
| Title | Chief of Siksika First Nation 1890 |
| Parents |
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| Relatives | Iron Shield (brother) Three Bulls (adopted brother) Scabby Bull (grandfather) Crying Bear (uncle) |
Crowfoot (1830 – 25 April 1890), also known as Isapo-Muxika, was a respected chief of the Siksika First Nation. He was born into the Kainai (Blood) tribe, part of the Blackfoot Confederacy. When he was young, his father died in a battle. His mother later remarried a man from the Siksika people, and Crowfoot grew up with them.
Crowfoot was a brave warrior who fought in many battles. However, he always worked hard to find peaceful solutions instead of fighting. He is famous for his important role in Treaty 7, where he negotiated for his people. Crowfoot died from tuberculosis in 1890. Many people attended his funeral, showing how much he was respected. In 2008, he was honored for his contributions to the railway industry. Crowfoot is remembered for his dedication to the Blackfoot nation.
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Crowfoot's Early Life and Names
Crowfoot was born in 1830. His birth name was Shot-Close. Later, as a boy, he was called Bear Ghost. After his father died in a battle, he was given his father's name, Packs a Knife. These different names showed his growth as a skilled warrior and leader.
When Crowfoot was six, his mother remarried a Siksika man named Akay-nehka-simi (Many Names). Crowfoot and his grandfather, Scabby Bull, moved with them to the Siksika tribe. It was with the Siksika that Crowfoot became a respected warrior and leader.
Leading the Siksika Nation
Crowfoot was known for his bravery and strong will. But it was his ability to speak for peace and reason that made him one of the most respected Indigenous leaders in Canada. People often called him Manistokos, meaning "father of the people." This was because he cared deeply for his tribe members and made sure they had food when needed.
Crowfoot worked hard to build good relationships between the Blackfoot people and newcomers. These newcomers included groups like the Hudson’s Bay Company and the North-West Mounted Police. Sometimes, his efforts caused disagreements with other Blackfoot warriors. For example, he once stopped a group from attacking a Hudson’s Bay Company caravan. He even safely escorted the Métis drivers back to Fort Edmonton. He also became good friends with a trader named Richard Hardisty.
Crowfoot also met another famous chief, Sitting Bull. This happened when the Blackfoot moved south to follow the disappearing bison herds. Sitting Bull asked Crowfoot to join forces and fight against the United States and the North-West Mounted Police. Crowfoot refused. He knew that their combined strength would not be enough against the larger governments.
Eventually, Crowfoot led the Blackfoot back to Canadian territory. Later, when the Sioux came into Canada, Crowfoot made peace with Sitting Bull. This helped protect the Sioux from American forces for a while.
Crowfoot's Family Life
Crowfoot had ten wives during his life, though never more than three or four at one time. His first wife, Cutting Woman, was his favorite. He had many children, but only four lived to be adults: one son who was blind, and three daughters.
One of Crowfoot's sons showed great promise as a warrior. Sadly, he was killed in a battle against the Cree when he was a teenager. Crowfoot was very sad and vowed to get revenge. He led a raid against a Cree camp. During the raid, the Blackfoot captured a young Cree man who looked like Crowfoot's lost son. Crowfoot decided to adopt this young man. This adopted son later returned to his own people and became the famous chief Poundmaker.
The North-West Rebellion
In 1885, Louis Riel returned to Canada. He helped create a Métis government in what is now Saskatchewan. This led to a conflict called the North-West Rebellion. This rebellion was mainly fought by Métis people. Some local Indigenous tribes also supported it because they were unhappy with settlers moving onto their lands. They hoped to get help from the powerful Blackfoot nation.
During this time, Crowfoot tried to keep his people out of the fighting. He believed the rebels would lose. However, his adopted son, Poundmaker, was involved in the conflict. Crowfoot also knew that the Métis did not treat the Blackfoot much better than the Canadian government did.
Both sides of the conflict tried to get the Blackfoot nation to join them. But because the Blackfoot warriors respected Crowfoot so much, they followed his advice to stay out of the fighting.
After much thought, Crowfoot decided to support the Canadian government, but he still tried to stay out of the direct fighting. He even allowed Cree refugees into his camp during the rebellion. Crowfoot's main goal was always to protect his own Blackfoot tribe.
After the Rebellion
After the rebellion, Poundmaker was put in jail. Crowfoot wrote a letter asking for Poundmaker to be pardoned, but his request was denied. Poundmaker was found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison. He was released after six months because of his poor health.
Poundmaker visited Crowfoot after his release. Sadly, he died during this visit, possibly because of his time in prison. This was very upsetting for Crowfoot, as he had lost his only healthy son.
Because Crowfoot refused to help the rebellion, the Canadian government saw him as a useful ally. They wanted to negotiate treaties with the Blackfoot and other Indigenous nations. The most important treaty for Crowfoot and the Blackfoot was Treaty 7.
Treaty 7 Negotiations
The Canadian government wanted to gain control of the western prairie lands and avoid conflict. They mistakenly thought Crowfoot was the leader of the entire Blackfoot Confederacy. This made other chiefs angry. However, Crowfoot was a skilled diplomat. He always made sure to consult with other chiefs, even when he was seen as the main leader.
During the negotiations, the government offered food like flour, tea, sugar, tobacco, and beef. Crowfoot was suspicious and refused these items until he knew all the terms of the treaty. In exchange for allowing settlers on their land, the Blackfoot were offered a secured plot of land, farming tools, cattle, potatoes, five dollars each year, and ammunition.
Crowfoot thought carefully about the treaty offers. He worried about giving up land and seeing the bison disappear. But he also knew that the bison were already declining and that more settlers would come, with or without a treaty. He understood that farming would soon be necessary for his people. Overall, he felt the terms were mostly fair for his people.
However, there were disagreements among the other chiefs. Some wanted to sign right away, many were strongly against it, and others were unsure. Crowfoot wanted to talk with Red Crow, the leader of the Kainai Nation, before making a final decision. While waiting, Crowfoot faced pressure from his own people. Some desperately needed the supplies offered and wanted to sign immediately. Others were angry and wanted to attack the councilmen.
When Red Crow arrived, he spent the night with Crowfoot, who explained the treaty terms. The next morning, Red Crow met with his own chiefs.
Crowfoot also spoke with an old medicine man named Pemmican. Pemmican gave him this advice:
"I am old and my life is ending. Your life will change greatly. The bison make you strong. But what you will eat from this money will cause your people to be buried all over these hills. You will be tied down and unable to wander. The white people will take your land. You will not be free; they will lead you. That is why I say do not sign. But I am old, so sign if you wish. Go ahead and make the treaty."
These words worried Crowfoot. Later that morning, Red Crow returned. He said the Bloods would sign if Crowfoot signed. Since Crowfoot had been negotiating longer, the final decision was up to him.
That afternoon, on October 21, Crowfoot gave a speech to his people:
"Please be patient while I speak. I must speak for my many people who depend on me to choose what is best for their future. The plains are vast. We are children of the plains; it is our home, and the buffalo has always been our food. I hope you will now see the Blackfeet, Bloods, and Sarcees as your children. I trust the Great Spirit will fill their hearts with goodness – the hearts of men, women, children, and future generations.
The advice we received has been very good. If the Police had not come, where would we be now? Bad men and whiskey were killing us so quickly that few of us would be left today. The Police have protected us like a bird's feathers protect it from winter's cold. I wish them well, and I hope our hearts will grow in goodness from now on. I am satisfied. I will sign the treaty."
After the Treaty
Over time, problems arose between the First Nations and Canadian officials regarding the treaty terms. In 1881, government suppliers began reducing food rations. Sometimes, they ran out of flour and beef, causing starvation. Even when supplies were available, they were barely enough.
Crowfoot led two groups to ask for more food. When their pleas were ignored, they tried to scare the government employees. In January 1882, Crowfoot stepped in to defend a chief named Bull Elk. Bull Elk was wrongly arrested for stealing meat he had paid for. Crowfoot was angry and said he would only hand Bull Elk over if he received a fair trial. The government employees had to agree.
However, Bull Elk was arrested again, which made the Blackfoot warriors furious. Crowfoot was also very angry. He led his men to confront Superintendent Leif Newry Fitzroy Crozier, a police officer. Crowfoot resisted the urge to let his men attack the Canadians, even though they were outnumbered. He knew that revenge would only bring more bloodshed. He sent his men home, and Bull Elk was tried and found not guilty.
Crowfoot's decision to avoid battle was successful. The scare was enough for Lieutenant Governor Edgar Dewdney to make changes. He knew the Blackfoot's patience was running out. He replaced the agent in charge of the Treaty 7 tribes with Cecil Denny, a police officer Crowfoot knew and respected.
In February, Denny met with Crowfoot and other Blackfoot chiefs. He made sure food supplies were enough and arranged for farm tools and plowing to begin in the spring. However, this government program failed. The agencies did not provide the tools and supplies needed for the Indigenous communities to feed themselves properly. This failure led to more famine and disease among the plains people. For Crowfoot, this program's failure resulted in the deaths of most of his children.
Chief Crowfoot's Legacy
Across Canada, there are places that remember the Blackfoot nation and Chief Crowfoot. These include Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump and Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park. There are also special memorials just for Crowfoot and his achievements. In 2014, several of Crowfoot's artifacts, like a deerskin jacket, bow and arrow, and pipe, were brought back from England to the Blackfoot Historical Crossing Park.
In 2020, Crowfoot was considered as one of eight finalists to be featured on Canada's $5 polymer bills.
The Ballad of Crowfoot
Crowfoot was the subject of a ten-minute documentary film from 1968 called The Ballad of Crowfoot. It was directed by Willie Dunn. The film looks at the lives of Indigenous people in North America through Crowfoot's story. It uses old photographs and newspaper clippings, set to a song by Dunn, who was a Mi'kmaq singer. This was the first film by an Indigenous director for the National Film Board of Canada. It won several awards, including a Gold Hugo in 1969.
The Ballad of Crowfoot is sometimes called the first Canadian music video.
