Chief Poundmaker’s family says today’s event will help his spirit rest.
Descendants of the Plains Cree leader repatriated a scepter stolen from him after the Northwest Resistance in 1885.
Poundmaker, whose name Cree is Pihtokahanapiwiyin, was convicted and imprisoned in 1885 for “treason-crime.” He and other leaders of the first nations were wrongly accused of inciting violence.
Many of his belongings were confiscated and found in museums in Saskatchewan and around the world.
The staff was owned by Parks Canada. The long-awaited repatriation ceremony took place at the Fort Battleford National Historic Site on Wednesday.
Pauline Poundmaker, great-granddaughter of the famous leader, requested the repatriation of staff and accepted it from Parks Canada.
“Today is another historic day,” she said. “I think of my mother and how proud she would be.”
The family and community have worked for many years to repatriate various items taken from Poundmaker during the events of 1885.
The chief poundmaker was convicted and imprisoned in 1885 for “treason-crime.” Many of his belongings were confiscated and found in museums in Saskatchewan and around the world. (William Buell / Library and Archives, Canada)
Pauline said she learned about a sacred artifact that belonged to her great-great-grandfather around 1996 and that she first learned about the repatriation protocol. The ceremonial Poundmaker Military Club and other items were brought home for the first time in 2017
Pauline contacted Parks Canada about staff in February 2021.
The descendants of Poundmaker have the right to request all the artifacts: a museum curator
Floyd Favel, curator of the Chief Poundmaker Museum, said the family is entitled to all Poundmaker items.
“This event today is a good closing of a circle, a circle,” he said.
“Let’s hope that the authorities and other institutions in Canada and in the United States and around the world can acknowledge our loss and return these items to correct history.”
Favel and the Chief Poundmaker Museum are at the forefront of global efforts to repatriate local art and artifacts, working with museums in Europe and private collectors, among others.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau puts tobacco on the grave of the main pound maker during the acquittal of the main pound maker event at a public ceremony in the historic center of the main pound maker for the first nation of the pound maker, Thursday, May 23, 2019 (Liam Can Richard)
The Prime Minister acquitted Poundmaker in 2019
On May 2, 1885, federal troops attacked Poundmaker’s gang at Cut Knife Hill, but were repulsed. Poundmaker prevented his soldiers from pursuing and killing federal troops.
Days later, Poundmaker traveled to meet with federal officials. He wanted the government to keep its contractual promises to supply agricultural tools and other materials after the deaths of buffalo herds.
Instead, Poundmaker was arrested and convicted. He was released from prison six months later after contracting what soon became a fatal respiratory disease.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acquitted Poundmaker in May 2019 and apologized for the verdict on behalf of the federal government.
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