Big Bear (Extraordinary Canadians)

Type

Book

Authors

Rudy Wiebe ( Wiebe, Rudy )

ISBN 10

0670067865

ISBN 13

9780670067862

Tags

Big Bear -- (Cree chief), Cree, Indigenous peoples -- Canada -- Treaties, Indigenous peoples -- Prairie Provinces -- Treaties, Treaties, Indigenous land transfers, Indigenous Peoples -- Canada -- Politics and Government, Plains Cree, nêhiyaw

Abstract

"Big Bear was a Cree chief in the Canadian prairie at a time when aboriginals were confronted with the disappearance of the buffalo and waves of European settlers that seemed destined to destroy the Indian way of life. The federal government's land hunger and political duplicity resulted in Big Bear refusing to sign Treaty No. 6 for six years, until 1882, when his people were starving. Big Bear advocated dialogue, but when the government refused to negotiate and the Métis rebellion erupted in 1885, some of his warriors killed nine white men at Frog Lake. Big Bear himself was arrested, though he tried to stop the violence. Award-winning novelist Rudy Wiebe writes movingly of this eloquent leader who valued land and community over self-interest. Despite his personal tragedy, Big Bear's understanding of human rights and our connection to the earth remains a vital part of Canada's history."--Book jacket.

Description

xviii, 222 pages : map ; 21 cm.

Biblio Notes

Notes:
Includes bibliographical references.

Number of Copies