Keeseekoowenin facts for kids

Keeseekoowenin (born around 1818 – died April 10, 1906) was an important First Nations leader. He lived during a time when Canada was growing and expanding into the prairie lands of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. He helped guide his people through many changes.

Who Was Keeseekoowenin?

Keeseekoowenin's real name was Giizhigowinin, which means "Sky-man." He was born around 1818 near the Bow River in what is now Alberta.

His father was Chief Okanase, also known as Michael Cardinal. Okanase was a leader of the Saulteaux people, who are a branch of the Ojibwe nation. His family were fur traders who had moved west from Quebec over many years.

Keeseekoowenin's mother had both Orkney and Native American family roots. Several of his father's sons became important leaders in the prairies.

Some stories say that Chief Okanase's sister was married to George Flett, a trader from the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC). Their son, also named George Flett, later became a missionary for Keeseekoowenin's community. Keeseekoowenin and Flett's mother were definitely related.

Moving to New Lands

In 1822, Keeseekoowenin's family and community moved to the Riding Mountain area. This area is in modern-day Manitoba.

Led by Chief Okanase, the community hunted, trapped animals, and traded furs. They traded with the Hudson's Bay Company at their trading posts, like Fort Ellice and Riding Mountain House.

Chief Okanase passed away around 1870. His son Mekis ("Eagle"), who was Keeseekoowenin's half-brother, became the new chief.

Signing Treaty Two

In 1871, Mekis's community signed Treaty Two with the Canadian government. This agreement gave them land around the Turtle and Valley rivers, near Dauphin Lake.

In 1875, they moved their reserve land to a new spot. This new reserve was near Elphinstone, Manitoba, close to the Riding Mountain House trading post.

Becoming a Chief

Mekis, the chief, passed away shortly after the move. So, in 1875, parts of Treaty Two were discussed again. During these talks, Keeseekoowenin and his brother Baptiste Bone were recognized by the government as chiefs of the community.

The community continued to hunt and fish on federal land near Clear Lake. In 1896, the Clear Lake Reserve was officially created, with Baptiste Bone as its chief. Keeseekoowenin remained chief of the original reserve, even though the government saw him as chief of both.

Government and church officials often praised Keeseekoowenin's group. They saw them as good Christian farmers. However, they sometimes looked down on the Clear Lake group, who preferred hunting and fishing.

In 1935, the Clear Lake group was asked to leave their land. This happened partly to make room for tourists. It was also to encourage the group to change their way of life and become farmers.

Keeseekoowenin's Legacy

Keeseekoowenin's community accepted the Presbyterian mission led by his cousin, George Flett. Keeseekoowenin himself was baptized and given the name Moses Burns. However, he still kept some of his traditional beliefs and customs.

He wanted his people to benefit from education and Christianity. But he also wanted to make sure they kept the best parts of their traditional values and practices.

Keeseekoowenin was a strong and impressive person. He was very skilled at trapping, hunting buffalo, and farming.

He passed away on April 10, 1906, on the Keeseekoowenin Reserve. He was buried there. His half-brother, George Bone, became the chief after him.

Keeseekoowenin had three sons and seven daughters. His daughter Harriet Burns married Glenlyon Campbell, who later became a politician in Winnipeg and Ottawa. His son Solomon Burns became a highly respected leader in the Presbyterian church.