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Big Bear

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

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Big Bear, also known as Mistahimaskwa, was a Plains Cree chief and political leader in what is now Saskatchewan, Canada. He is best known for refusing to sign Treaty 6 in 1876 and for his role in events connected to the North-West Resistance of 1885. He is remembered for advocating for Cree interests and resisting policies that threatened Indigenous land and ways of life.

Early life and leadership

Big Bear was born around 1825 in what is now Saskatchewan and became a prominent Plains Cree leader by the mid-19th century. Sources differ slightly on his birthplace, but agree that he rose to leadership among the Cree and was known for strong political influence.

Treaty 6 negotiations

Big Bear is best known for refusing to sign Treaty 6 in 1876. He sought stronger guarantees for his people and resisted terms that he believed would undermine Cree land, autonomy, and traditional life.

North-West Resistance and trial

During the 1885 North-West Resistance, violence involving members of Big Bear’s camp led to his arrest and prosecution. He was convicted of treason-felony, imprisoned, and later released after his health declined.

Legacy

Big Bear is remembered as a major Indigenous leader who defended Cree interests during a period of intense colonial expansion. In Canadian public history, he is often described as a strong opponent of unfair treaty-making and land dispossession.

Key facts

  • Big Bear was a Plains Cree chief who emerged as a major Indigenous leader in the 19th century.
  • He refused to sign Treaty 6 in 1876, seeking better terms for his people.
  • His band was later involved in events associated with the 1885 North-West Resistance.
  • He was tried and imprisoned after the conflict, then released before his death in 1888.
  • He is widely remembered as an advocate for Indigenous rights and Cree sovereignty.
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Canadian context

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.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Big Bear?
Big Bear was a Plains Cree chief and political leader known for resisting Treaty 6 and for his association with the North-West Resistance of 1885.
What was Big Bear’s real name?
His Cree name was Mistahimaskwa.
Why is Big Bear important in Canadian history?
He is important for opposing treaty terms he considered unfair and for representing Cree resistance to colonial land policies in the late 19th century.
Did Big Bear sign Treaty 6?
No. He refused to sign Treaty 6 in 1876.
What happened to Big Bear after 1885?
He was tried, convicted, and imprisoned after the North-West Resistance, then released before dying in 1888.

References

  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