By Angela Brown

Progress for Poundmaker

First Nation members thrilled about exoneration of Chief Poundmaker

Apr 17, 2019 | 2:08 PM

Poundmaker Cree Nation is rejoicing with the federal government’s plans to formally exonerate historic Chief Poundmaker at an upcoming ceremony on the reserve.

Government officials will be visiting the reserve to announce the exoneration in a special celebration at a date that is still being confirmed.

“It’s safe to say it’s going to be an emotional day,” Poundmaker Cree Nation Headman Milton Tootoosis said. “We’re excited. It’s long overdue.”

The community leaders were waiting to see Chief Poundmaker’s name officially exonerated by the federal government for many years. Poundmaker was wrongfully convicted of treason following the Northwest Rebellion in May, 1885 and sentenced to three years in prison.

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“He should never have gone to trial for treason to begin with, and should never have been imprisoned,” said Tootoosis. “So it’s long overdue for us.”

The Government of Canada is expected to make a formal apology and provide a statement of exoneration at the ceremony.

“My late father who was a chief and other past chiefs have lobbied many times to have this day fulfilled, to correct the truth and have the truth be told,” Tootoosis said.

Poundmaker is known as a peacemaker in history, so Tootoosis believes the exoneration will help change Poundmaker’s tarnished reputation.

The celebratory event will also include cultural displays. A Treaty Day event is also planned.

Tootoosis said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to visit the reserve and participate in the ceremony. The event is also recognized as a reconciliation effort.

“It was proposed the prime minister ride up the battle site hill in a horse-drawn carriage,” Tootoosis said.

He added Trudeau will be followed by the Cree, Assiniboine and Blackfoot First Nations members on horseback, representing the Indigenous warriors that were present in the historic Battle of Cut Knife Hill on May 2, 1885.

A commemorative plaque is currently in place at the Battle of Cut Knife Hill National Historic Site, located on Poundmaker Reserve to recognize the battle.

Art Show

Poundmaker Cree Nation is planning an art show on the reserve called Poundmaker: Life, Legacy and Liberation Art.

Chief Poundmaker’s gun and staff will be on display as part of the exhibition.

“This is their second visit home to our community,” Curator Floyd Favel said.

The show will also include a celebration of the life and work of Indigenous actor, activist, and oral historian Tyrone Tootoosis.

“He did a lot of research and documentation in order for the Poundmaker exoneration to achieve its final results,” Favel said. “We’re paying him tribute by displaying some of the oral interviews he conducted with Elders regarding The Battle of 1885.”

The art show runs May 1 to 9.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow