APRIL 25, 1886

CREE CHIEF KUPEYAKWUSKONAM (ONE ARROW) DIED

Born circa 1815 near the Saskatchewan (SK) River, One Arrow led a band of Willow Crees. By 1879, the band settled near the Métis settlement of Batoche, SK. In 1885, during the North-West rebellion, he was present at a meeting where Indian Agent John Lash was taken prisoner by Métis leader Louis Riel. His men were seen armed and in the company of the Métis immediately following the battle at Duck Lake in March 1885. One Arrow, who was likely too old to have taken part, was arrested on a charge of treason-felony, and tried at Regina on August 13, 1885. His lawyer, unable to gain One Arrow’s confidence, could not present a coherent defense. One Arrow denied active participation, claiming that he was coerced by Métis leader Gabriel Dumont into joining the rebels. Convicted, he was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment where his health rapidly deteriorated. Released April 10, 1886, he was carried to the home of the Catholic archbishop of St Boniface, MB, where he died on Easter Sunday, 25 April 1886.

Source: Kenneth J. Tyler, “Biography – KĀPEYAKWĀSKONAM – Volume XI (1881-1890),” Dictionary of Canadian Biography.  Retrieved 12/26/2022, Biography – KĀPEYAKWĀSKONAM – Volume XI (1881-1890) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography (biographi.ca)

Photo: Eminoro & Simon Villeneuve, 7/28/2012.  Public Domain.