Poundmaker

Known to his people as Pitikwahanapiwiyin, Poundmaker was a Cree chief convicted of treason in the aftermath of the 1885 Northwest Resistance led by Louis Riel, despite his actions as a peacemaker. Poundmaker was born in central Saskatchewan circa 1842. He became a respected member of his community and an outspoken critic of the Canadian government for its failure to fulfill its treaty promises. But in various clashes with authorities, Poundmaker tried to avoid bloodshed. He died in 1886, four months after his release from prison.