| Description will be updated soon.
This massive history of the Ahtahkakoop First Nation of Saskatchewan was complied and written by former Moose Jaw Times Herald reporter and published by the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation. Ahtahkakoop (Starblanket), 1816-1896, was a remarkable leader of this Plains Cree First Nation. The book examines at length and in meticulous detail the life and times of his leader and his people who eventually signed Treaty 6. The book is a community effort, twelve years in the making, and combines archival research with oral history from present-day community members. Chapters cover the birth and family life of Starblanket, the fur trade, the Metis uprising, the arrival of Christian missionaries, Treaty Six negotiations and signing, the last of the buffalo hunts, hard times adapting to reserve life, the introduction of farming, diplomatic efforts, and the final years of Starblanket. The extensive appendices include the text of Treaty 6, first treaty paylist in 1876, guide to pronunciation of Cree terms, glossaries of First Nations people, and glossary of place names. Numerous maps, and colour photographs are included along with a comprehensive bibliography and research notes and index. This history provides new details from the First Nation's perspective of the events often overlooked in standard history texts for Canada. While the book includes the Plains Cree creation story it moves on to the period of transition for the Plains Cree and settlement onto reserves. There are extensive accounts of the arrival of Christianity and Starblanket's acceptance of John Hines, Anglican missionary. |
