Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Civic Brief • Indigenous

Big Bear

Big Bear, also known as Mistahimaskwa, was a Plains Cree chief and political leader in what is now Saskatchewan, Canada.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Big Bear, also known as Mistahimaskwa, was a Plains Cree chief who refused to sign Treaty 6 and became a key figure in the North-West Resistance of 1885.

Who he was

Born around 1825 near what is now Saskatchewan, Big Bear rose to become a prominent Plains Cree leader. He was known for his political influence and strong advocacy for Cree interests during a period of colonial expansion.

What he did

Big Bear is best known for refusing to sign Treaty 6 in 1876, seeking better terms for his people. His band was later involved in events tied to the 1885 North-West Resistance, leading to his arrest and conviction for treason-felony.

Why it matters

Big Bear is remembered as a defender of Indigenous rights and Cree sovereignty. His resistance to unfair treaty-making and land dispossession remains a significant chapter in Canadian history, especially in Saskatchewan and in discussions of Indigenous-settler relations.

In short

  • Big Bear refused to sign Treaty 6 in 1876, demanding better protections for Cree land and autonomy.
  • He was involved in the 1885 North-West Resistance and later convicted of treason-felony.
  • He died in 1888 after being released from prison due to declining health.
  • He is widely recognized as a symbol of Indigenous resistance and leadership.
Canadian angle

Big Bear is a significant figure in Canadian history, especially in Saskatchewan and in histories of Treaty 6, the North-West Resistance, and Indigenous-settler relations.

Quick questions

Who was Big Bear?
Big Bear was a Plains Cree chief and political leader known for resisting Treaty 6 and for his role in the North-West Resistance of 1885.
What was Big Bear’s real name?
His Cree name was Mistahimaskwa.
Did Big Bear sign Treaty 6?
No. He refused to sign Treaty 6 in 1876.

Sources

  1. The Canadian Encyclopedia — https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/big-bear
    Supports: Identity, Cree leadership, refusal to sign Treaty 6, death date, and historical significance
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bear
    Supports: Approximate birth year, role as chief, Treaty 6 opposition, and North-West Rebellion context
  3. Encyclopedia of the Great Plains — https://plainshumanities.unl.edu/encyclopedia/doc/egp.na.012.html
    Supports: Treaty 6 refusal, leadership role, imprisonment, and death
  4. University of Saskatchewan — https://teaching.usask.ca/indigenoussk/import/big_bear_mistihai-muskwa_ca_1825-_88.php
    Supports: Birth context, trial, imprisonment, and death timing
  5. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Big-Bear
    Supports: Plains Cree leadership, birth period, opposition to treaties, and imprisonment