Poundmaker First Nation

Located near Cutknife, Saskatchewan, is the Anishinabe poundmaker first nation. Their history is one in which many (maybe not most) originally lived in the Montana region. After the 1876-1877 war in Montana ended, many of the Anishinabek and their Indian allies fled up into southern Alberta and southern Saskatchewan. Ogima Poundmaker strongly demanded that the Freemason colony of Canada set aside one very large Reserve in central Alberta and central Saskatchewan, for the Anishinabek of that region. Poundmaker was only one of several Anishinabe ogimak (leaders) who demanded that Canada set aside that one large Reserve. Once ogima Poundmaker and the other important Chippewa ogimak, including ogima Big Bear and his son ogima Little Bear, realized that Canadian leaders would not set aside for them, one large Reserve, they rose up in rebellion, except ogima Poundmaker. Ogima Poundmaker was evidently of predominantly Dakota blood. His papa was Stoney Dakota, while his mama was a mixed blood.

Of course, that war was the 1885 Northwest Rebellion. After losing the war, many Anishinabe ogimak were either executed or imprisoned including ogima Poundmaker, by the whites. Supposedly ogima Poundmaker stopped the movement of a force of Anishinabe soldiers who were attempting to reach Batoche. After the war the whites had Poundmaker imprisoned for helping their cause. Now that says a lot. Mainly, don't trust white historians. Many Chippewa's under the leadership of ogima Little Bear, fled back down into northern Montana to live on the large Reservation the United States set aside for ogima Little Shell. Others fled to far northern Alberta, northern British Columbia, Northwest Territories, and northern Saskatchewan. There are 33 total Reserves which make up the poundmaker first nation. They cover an area of 15,466 total hectares or 38,217 total acres. In 1998, this band of Anishinabek were given the first hectares or acres of 20,000 new hectares or 49,400 new acres. That brings the total area of this First Nation to 35,466 total hectares or 87,617 total acres. Total population is 1,543, with most (727) living on the Reserve, while 678 live off the Reserve, and 138 live on other reserves.