Kinistin facts for kids

Chief Kinistin (born around 1850, died around 1920) was an important leader of the Ojibwe people. He served as a trusted advisor, or 'headman,' to Chief Ošāwaškokwanēpi, also known as Yellow Quill.

Who Was Chief Kinistin?

The name "Kinistin" or Kiništin means "Cree." Chief Kinistin traveled to Saskatchewan from Western Ontario. He came with his two brothers, Miskokwanep (whose name means "Red [Crow-]Feather") and Mehcihcākanihs (meaning "Coyote"). It is thought that Chief Kinistin might have been part of the Red River Rebellion in 1869-1870.

Moving to Saskatchewan

During the talks for Treaty 1, Chief Yellow Quill and Kinistin agreed to the terms. However, a disagreement happened among the Plains Ojibway in southern Manitoba. This led Yellow Quill and other Ojibway chiefs, including Kinistin, to start moving into Saskatchewan in the 1870s. They settled in the beautiful Qu'Appelle River valley. On August 24, 1876, they signed an agreement at Fort Pelly to follow Treaty 4. This agreement helped create the Nut Lake Band.

Journeying Further North

In the 1880s, there was some unrest among the Plains Ojibway. They were debating whether to keep their traditional way of life. Because of this, Kinistin decided to separate from Yellow Quill. He and his people set up camp in the parkland area near the Barrier River.

To avoid the North-West Rebellion in 1885, Kinistin moved his people again. They traveled north into the land where caribou lived, which was also home to the Dene people. Kinistin searched for good hunting grounds that were not already claimed by other large tribes.

He and his people eventually settled in the Pasquia Hills. This area is in northeastern Saskatchewan, far north of what is now Prince Albert and Flin Flon, Manitoba. After Louis Riel was defeated, Kinistin returned to the Barrier River. He wanted to choose a reserve for his people there. In February 1890, he asked Reginald Beatty for help. Beatty promised to assist him in getting a reserve along the Barrier River. Together, they secured the land that became the home for the current Kinistin Saulteaux Nation in 1900.

Kinistin's Descendants

Today, many Ojibway people are descendants of Kinistin's community. They live on several First Nations territories. These include the Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation, Lac La Ronge First Nation, and the Peter Ballantyne First Nation. In Manitoba, descendants also live on the Barren Lands First Nation, Mathias Colomb First Nation, Marcel Colomb First Nation, and the Northlands Denesuline First Nation.