| title: | Plains Cree Chief Mistahimaskwa (Big Bear, 1825-1888) during his trial outside the Northwest Mounted Police barracks, Regina, Saskatchewan. Mistahimaskwa (Big Bear, 1825-1888) was an independent, strong-willed Plains Cree Chief. Determined that his people should be able to live where they wanted as in the past, he refused to sign Treaty No. 6 because he thought the conditions of the agreement left the fate of the aboriginal people in the hand of the government. Many of his band, including his eldest son Imasis, took part in the 1885 Frog Lake Massacre. Tried for treason in 1885, Big Bear was found guilty and given a three-year sentence. This photograph was taken during his trial outside the Northwest Mounted Police barracks in Regina, Saskatchewan. |
| description: | Plains Cree Chief Mistahimaskwa (Big Bear, 1825-1888) during his trial outside the Northwest Mounted Police barracks, Regina, Saskatchewan. Mistahimaskwa (Big Bear, 1825-1888) was an independent, strong-willed Plains Cree Chief. Determined that his people should be able to live where they wanted as in the past, he refused to sign Treaty No. 6 because he thought the conditions of the agreement left the fate of the aboriginal people in the hand of the government. Many of his band, including his eldest son Imasis, took part in the 1885 Frog Lake Massacre. Tried for treason in 1885, Big Bear was found guilty and given a three-year sentence. This photograph was taken during his trial outside the Northwest Mounted Police barracks in Regina, Saskatchewan. |