Heritage Community Foundation Presents
Alberta Online Encyclopedia and Edukits

 
Aboriginal Youth Identity Series: Origin and Settlementphotostidbitsglossarybiographiesstory and legendsVideopuzzles and game
grade 3grade 4grade 5
Quicklinks

Beardy

Bearspaw

Big Bear

John Calihoo

Carry the Kettle

Dave Crowchild

James Gladstone

Maski-pitoon

Pakan

Peguis

Piapot

Poundmaker

Red Crow

Shot Both Sides

Sitting Bull

Marie Rose Smith

Star Blanket

Henry Bird Steinhauer

Sweet Grass

Gerald Tailfeathers

Tom Three Persons

Maski-pitoon, Cree Chief

Maski-pitoon's arm had an abnormal twist, earning him his name which means 'one whose arm has been broken' in Cree. He won the right to become Chief by being a strong warrior. The Cree and Blackfoot people had a long history of killing each other, but Maski-pitoon believed that they could live peacefully together.  This was foretold after he had a dream in which the Creator told him needless killing was wrong. He proposed peace to his people and they agreed to try. Soon after his first attempts at peace, some Blackfoot were travelling near Wetaskiwin (where Maski-pitoon's people were living) and were captured by the Cree. When presented to Maski-pitoon, he recognized one of the prisoners as the man who had killed his father. Instead of seeking revenge, which was customary, he told the Blackfoot to return to his people and tell them the Cree were seeking peace. Maski-pitoon then went even further and decided to travel with the Blackfoot to speak directly with their Chief. The two leaders smoked a pipe of peace and entered into a pact to end the fighting. This was the first pact of its kind on the prairies and it is said that the name Wetaskiwin comes from this event meaning 'hills of peace'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

« Back   Top

Home
Home Edukit Team Comments Copyright Edukits.ca