Born in or around 1850 at the western end of Lesser Slave
Lake, Moostoos was the eldest of ten children born to Masinigoneb
and Marie Kowikkiu. He would become a expert trapper, fisherman, orator
and Woods Cree headman.
In 1899, with an eye to opening the Canadian west to settlement, the
federal government undertook negotiating Treaty 8 with the Indians of the
northwest. The treaty was immensely important for both the
federal government and the native peoples of the region. A
tremendous amount of land was at stake - the rich farmland that could be
cultivated and bring great economic advantages to the new county was also
the ancestral home to many Woods Cree, Beaver, Dene, Chipewyan and other
peoples. As the recognized Chief of the people who lived in the region
Keenooshayoo (Kinosew, Kinoosayo) and his older brother Moostoos,
recognized as the most prominent headman, were appointed as the key
spokesmen for their people, the Cree, at talks in June 1899 at Willow
Point, on lesser Slave Lake. Although their countenances may have differed,
they both held fast to their desire to maintain their peoples traditional
way of life and were hopeful that they could secure guarantees for the
protection of future generations.
Negotiations at Willow Point lasted only two days. Once Commissioner
David Laird had outlined the terms and conditions of the treaty, stressing
that their traditional ways of hunting, fishing and trapping would be preserved,
KeeNooShayoo pressed the Commissioners to negotiate additional terms in
his people's favour. Moostoos supported his brother, but was clearly more
mollifying. When he rose to address the Commissioners and his people he
spoke clearly and earnestly of his belief in the importance of maintaining
a peaceful and productive relationship between his people and the European
settlers. As a result the Woods Cree of Willow Point entered into treaty with
the federal government on 22nd of June 1899. In the years to follow both
Keenooshayoo and Moostoos worked hard to ensure their people received what
was promised them. By 1900 they and other headmen approached the
government to secure for their people a reserve east of the Driftpile
River on Lesser Slave Lake, but by 1910 it was clear that the one reserve
was not sufficient as both Moostoos and KeeNooShayoo had their own,
separate followings. Separate reserves were therefore established for them
- one at Driftpile for Keenooshayoo and one at Sucker Creek for
Moostoos.
Although Moostoos was referred to as a headman, the people of Sucker
Creek regarded him as their Chief. They revered him as a wise medicine man
and healer and he served as their leader for the remainder of his life.
Perhaps his most important quality was the strength and wisdom he showed
in his ability to anticipate and accept change while never compromising
the rights and way of life of his people.