User:Chelssmcgee/sandbox

Big Bear(Mistahi-maskwa) was born in 1825 in Jackfish Lake, near North Battleford, Saskatchewan.1where his father, Black Powder was the chief a tribe of 80 people comprised of Plains Cree-Saulteaux people who were deemed to be “true nomadic hunters.” 2 Little is known about Big Bear’s mother. When Big Bear was old enough to walk on his own he spent his time wandering the camp socializing with many different individuals, from the women to the council.3 In the spring of 1837 smallpox struck Big Bear’s community which resulted in the quick departure of the Cree people’s from the plains.4 Unlike many of his community members Big Bear was infected with the virus but after two months of suffering he was able to overcome it.5 After his recovery from the smallpox disease Big Bear began to spend a great deal of time with his father which resulted in the two of them embarking on a journey to Bull’s Forehead Hill, where they spent a great deal of time reflecting, and offering to their Gods and spirits.6 Upon his reflection Big Bear was visited by many spirits, however the bear took great prominence in his mind. After his reflection was complete he created a fur necklace in the shape of a bear paw with five ivory claws hanging from it, which he called the Chief’s Son’s Hand.7 This necklace was the cause of his nickname “Maskwa,” meaning bear, and “Mistahi,” meaning much.8 Prior to becoming a great leader Big Bear first became a great warrior, taking warriors under his fathers power on missions which he described as “haunting the Blackfoot.”9 Upon the death of his father Black Powder in the winter of 1864, the Cree band with over 100 members was in need of a new chief. At this time Big Bear was forty years old and had been the witness of direct influence of the successes of his father, making him the obvious choice to be the next leader of the Cree people.