COMPARISON REPORT:

BIG BEAR & POUNDMAKER

WHO WAS THE MORE INFLUENTIAL LEADER AND WHY?
BY BRETT KOCIS

UNITY
Big Bear:
- In the late 1870s Mistahimaskwa(Big Bear), tired to create a
political conferederation of Indian bands capable of forcing
concessions from the government. From 1878 to 1880 he
traveled through the Canadian north-west and Montana trying
to unite the bands

Poundmaker:
- In June 1884, a Thirst Dance was held on the Poundmaker

reserve to discuss the worsening situation of the Indians. By

the middle of the month over 2000 people had gathered.

OBSTACLES
Big Bear:
- As a result of the governments refusal to negotiate with him,
he began to lose influence over the bands warrior society
during the winter of 1884-1885.

Poundmaker:
- The government was unwilling to fulfill treaty promises, and
therefore Poundmaker decided to become active within Indian
politics.

LEADERSHIP
Big Bear:
- Began to establish himself as a leader in the late 1850s and early

1860s. He was the leading chief in 1871, and by 1874 headed and
ran over 65 lodges.

Poundmaker:
- In August 1876, as headman of one of the River People bands, was
influential enough to speak at the Treaty No. Six negotiations held at
Fort Carlton. Emerged as one of the spokespersons for a group
critical of the treaty.

MORE INFLUENTIAL?
ITS IN MY PROFESSIONAL OPINION THAT POUNDMAKER WOULD BE
THE OVERALL GREATER LEADER.