Isapo-Muxika (Isapó'ó'mahsika - Chief Crowfoot) National Historic Person
Gleichen, Alberta
Isapo-Muxika in Québec City, ca. 1885
© Livernois / Musée McCord Museum / MP-1985.65.1
Address :
Wheatland County, Gleichen, Alberta
Recognition Statute:
Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date:
1945-05-16
Life Date:
1830 to 1890
Other Name(s):
-
Isapo-Muxika (Isapó'ó'mahsika - Chief Crowfoot)
(Designation Name)
Importance:
Blackfoot chief, diplomat, established peace with the Plains Cree
Plaque(s)
Existing plaque: Gleichen, Alberta
The great warrior, orator and peacemaker who won the title manistokos, "Father of his people", was born a Blood, but became a leading chief of the Blackfoot among whom he was raised. Convinced that peace best served the Blackfoot interest, he promoted inter-tribal amity, adopting the Cree, Poundmaker, as his son. He persuaded the Blackfoot to sign Treaty No.7 in 1877 and held them aloof from the rebellion of 1885, pursuing a policy of wary cooperation with the white authorities during the difficult transition to reservation life.