Barry ahenakew - Where do our people come from?
Years ago, my grandfather used to talk about the founding father of our nation, his name was Chatelaine (French). The people called him Chatlah. Our nation came from the Chatlah, but not everyone. There was a man named Masuskapoe, his father was Pakaskineheyawew (Fluent Cree Speaking Man). Their mother was named Okimawahtikohk (Sundance Lodge Center Pole). This man Masuskapoe was the son of Okimawahtikohk, Ahahkakoop’s father was also Pakaskineheyawew. But Sasakamoose’s father was Chatelaine (Chatlah). Then our great grand father Ahasiw-akohp (Crow Blanket) may have been born to Chatelaine (Chatlah) I am not sure and may have had different father. Ahasiw-akohp (Crow Blanket) was the first to be named “Ayhay Nakew!” (Ahenakew) was the first to use that name and his younger brother was Napeskes. They were tall men, Masuskapoe stood six feet two inches while Ahtahkakoop, six feet three inches, Sasakamoose was five foot eight inches tall. He wasn’t very tall and he had a white complexion. Ahasiw-akohp was also a tall man, he must have been six feet tall while Napeskes was six foot three, he was the same height as Ahtahkakoop. These men’s mother was Okimaw-ahtihkohk they travelled from down south/east when many people migrated from east to the west (from where the sun rises).
People from the north called Ayahtchenewak (Strange peoples or Blackfoot) travelled west first and our people followed there after. The Churchill River was named Ayahchenew Sipiy which was name after these early migrants (Strange People). Down south-east was geographically called Kihchi Sakahikan (the Great Lakes) and rivers such as the Kihchi Sipiy (St. Lawrence River), Lake Ontario, Lake Huron, Lake Superior. Ayahtchenew Sipiy was named after these people now called Churchill River. These people came first also Kihchi Sakahikan (Lake Ontario) is where our people came from and others heading west. Our people travelled that route. Neheyawak came from the Great Lakes such as our people (Algonquin People).
Our people settled and took land at Peyisew Wachihk (Thunder Bay, Ontario). This is where the Mistatim Isimowin (horse dance) began. I distinguish the ceremonies from this era and along the shores of Kichikamihk (Great Lakes) came the ceremony called Peyisew Simowin (Thunder Bird Dance). Some nations still call it the same Peyisew Simowin. Another ceremony was called
Okihchitaw Simowin was carried out two days such as the Peyisew Simowin. These ceremonies were Atayohkewin (legends) told by our forefathers as they continue to migrate west. From then on, a horse dance was blessed to a man named Pahkwes. He went to seek a vision quest (Kekosimowin) in the mountains. Nothing came of it. He was there praying and fasting for four days and four nights. But, as he descended from the mountains, he fell asleep halfway down the mountain that’s when he was foretold. A white horse with wings appeared before him and the Misatim Isimowin (Horse Dance) ceremony was bestowed to him by the winged horse. He was given songs to use in ceremony. He was told to use fourteen poles and how they should be placed in the lodge. But at that time there were no horses back in the east. The winged horse instructed him, “You have to tell Napehkasewenowak (Warriors) at the Okihchitaw kamikohk (The Warriors Lodge) about this vision. You are to travel west with them. In your travels, there will be a vast forest, rivers, lakes and muskegs and but eventually, you will come into plains territory. It is there where you will find horses. You have to catch them, tame them and bring them back. Upon your return with the horses is when you can carry out the fourteen-lodge pole ceremony.
When he reached the camp, he shared his vision. This is what he was told to do. He went down and told of his dream to the warriors, we have to go ahead where the sun sets to find horses. We will find horses and bring them back and make them dance in the ceremony. We will use (napehkwana) fringes to bless the ceremony. And so, the venture began. There were approximately twenty (20) to thirty (30) men. They were a large group and so they did come across the plains and right around where Winnipeg is. They gathered the horses and tamed them and then brought them back to Thunder Bay, Ontario but, I won’t elaborate on that story further. That is where the horse dance originated. This is how we learned their way of life.
The group continued to migrate along the plains and they came upon vast prairies when Ahtahkakoop were still children and they settled around Bigger, Saskatchewan and south of there. Geographically between Kindersley and Bigger, Saskatchewan. There were Tawatinaw wacheya (rolling hills) Waheyaw Ka-itaskweyahk (long plains) in the area where a place named Buffalo Hump Hills, the hump on a Buffalo is called kaskiskawan (Buffalo Hump) this is where Ahtahkakoop was raised kaskiskawan atinawah. They traveled everywhere to hunt and gather.
My grand father used to confuse me about nitopayiwin (leads a war party) raids on other tribes. I used to wonder how far these war parties had to travel. Others foretold these stories such as late Angus Knife and late Allan Ahenakew. These men used to talk about kaskiskawan atinawa is where we originated. We were true plains Indians. When they lead their raids, this is where they came from. They used to go raid the Red People camps (Blood Tribes) and the Dakotas south into now United States. Mostly to steal and capture their horses down south.
Meanwhile, Mistawasis lived and raised his family in the east around Mikisew Sipiysis (Eagle Creek). Southeast of Rosetown, Saskatchewan, and it was a great plain. This is where Mistawasis dwelled with his people. There was an abundance of chokecherry bushes in that area as well an abundance of Buffalo everywhere. They used to use the choke cherries and blend it with buffalo pounded dry meat and they made pimikan. They worked cooperatively with Mistawasis and Ahtahakoop’s people. They never ran out of supplies or ever was hungry. They used the hides to make shelter such as apahkwan (teepees), they were rich in abundance of buffalo.
Ahasiw-Akohp (Crow blanket) went on the raid with the red people or the bloods in southern Alberta and they stole many horses. On their way back home with horses and right around Alsask, Saskatchewan, just south of there are three hills. As they were just coming over a hill when on the other side of the hill, his warriors look behind and saw crow blanket stopped and dismounted his horse on top a hill. An arrow was stuck to his knee and the warriors yelled, “Ayhay nakew!” The warriors went back and one of the warriors jumped off and said, “look at the plume of dust behind us, they’re coming”. Threw Crow Blanket back on his horse and they kept riding as Blood warriors were chasing them and they kept going. They were close to their camp and knew the blackfoot would not dare come close to our camps as they would have been out-numbered. Crow blanket was being chased by the bloods and they arrived at mistapew kanawachet Neheyawa (big man cooking Indians) They resided between two mountains on north/east side is where the camp was and his children were growing and becoming men. Ahtahkakoop was one of them. The camp made a victory dance for Crow Blanket and the warriors upon arrival. The young boys were being groomed to steal horses Crow Blanket was given a dance by women that by giving thanks that nobody what’s fatally injured and they celebrated as the warriors would stop dancing and told their version of what happened and about how crow blanket stopped and was injured “Ayhay nakew” was given the name to Crow Blanket and eventually his name change to Ayhay nakew, it became a common name to all the people and the name Crow Blanket was gradually being phased out. Crow Blanket was to be our last names but it eventually changed to Ayhay Nakew (Ahenakew).
There was a mountain named “Ayhay Nakewin” where Crow Blanket has dismounted his horse during the raid. There are three mountains there, approximately ten miles south of Alsask, Saskatchewan and further south were more mountains towards Leader, Saskatchewan named kinepik oskowansa (snake nose hills) around Kindersley is called Kenkasini (Pointed Rock), there’s a big pointed rock that was sticking out of the ground there. There was also another hill near Bigger, Saskatchewan called Wapastim Kanepowit (where a White Horse stands) people used to see a White Horse standing by a lake in the area, a premonition. This is where Ahtahkakoop’s people dwelled.
Approximately, ten years before treaty payments began, people used to come together in an encampment and traded buffalo hides. Ahtahkakoop and Mistawasis were informed by the white traders that many of our white people are arriving on this land and moving west. There are many arriving every day on sail boats from the east.
So, they called a meeting and amongst them were Mihko Pehiw (Red Pheasant), Mistawasis and Ahtahkakoop. They summoned Ahtahkakoop’s younger brother Napeskes, he was the youngest. They instructed him to go on a fact-finding mission, “We want you to go to the east and confirm the validity of the traders’ revelation” that many of their people are coming. Your eyes will be our eyes, your ears will be our ears. We want you to go alone. No one will mind you if you are alone. No one will bother you, we know that you can make it. You will go scout out to see if its true. They asked him, “Will you be brave enough to carry this venture out?” Napeskes said he would take on the mission.
So away he went to the east. He came across many different indigenous people such as Ojibway people and Onatowewak (Iroquois people). He arrived in Montreal. Moniyaw Ohtinaw (white man city) he saw apartments that were three stories high. They were so many white people everywhere like ants sprawling over one another. Furthermore, he did observe so many white people coming off sailboats on the St. Lawrence River onto the city.
One day, as Napeskes was standing outside of his hotel, he observed business men in suits. A six-team horse drawn wagon was parked beside them and a young woman was on the wagon. He wasn’t very far. He was closely observing the situation and something spooked the horses and took off. The business men froze and didn’t move at all. Napeskes jumped into action and chased the wagon and jump on the back of the wagon and onto the backs of the horses. From one horse to the next. He jumped onto the lead horse and grabbed the reins from the bridle and stopped the run-away team. He dismounted the lead horse and led the team back to where the businessmen were standing. He had another person hold the team of horses. One of the business men summoned him as he wanted to talk to him. The business man had an Ojibway interpreter. He wanted to know his name. The business man said, “this man practically saved my daughter’s life”. The interpreter asked him what his name was, “what is your name?” He said his name was Napeskes. Of course, they didn’t understand what Napeskes meant. So, they wrote his name on a piece of paper. Tell him that, I am the owner of the Hudson’s Bay Company. I own all of the stores. To express my gratitude, I want to give him this paper for saving my daughter’s life. With this paper (voucher) he can enter any of my stores and he will receive whatever it is that he wants for free. I am so thankful for his bravery. He told Napeskes to guard the paper as he signed it, he folded the paper neatly and placed it in his person.
And so, Napeskes made his journey back home to his people in Saskatchewan. He saw the people coming off the boats, he also saw the Iroquois and the Ojibway were assigned to Lands and the reserve system was beginning the lands were set aside for people and he made that revelation when he returned to meet with the Chiefs. This was ten years before treaty was signed in Saskatchewan in 1866. This is what my grandfather had told me years ago.
And so when he returned, the chiefs were in a meeting, Ahtahkakoop, Red Pheasant and Mistawasis and together they lifted the pipe to smoke and Nepeskis told his story. The traders were right, they are coming not immediately but there will be more white people coming to our territory. I have seen the houses, the towns and their cities. They were living in apartments also seen the Iroquois were given land for reserves. It is bound to happen in our territory soon. Napeskis finished what he was set out to do so.
Six years later in 1870 Red Pheasant and Mistawasis met in North Battleford. They went to meet in Fort Battleford and they also invited Ahtahkakoop. They asked the question, “what should we do, white people are coming and they’re going to take up land in our traditional territories, also lands are being set aside as reserves and it is already happening in the east?” Ahtahkakoop said, the Buffalo are diminishing we may have to move north and find lakes with fish and so our children and grandchildren can live off fish and hunting other game.
And so, they began to migrate. They had no choice but to leave kaskiskawan atinawah (Buffalo Hump Hills) they arrived in North Battleford. There were camps of Mistawasis and Red Pheasant. Ahtahkakoop went and sat with the two Chiefs, Mistawasis and Red Pheasant. Mistawasis told Ahathakoop that, they have already been discussing what Napeskes saw in the east regarding the lands being set aside for Indians. We may have to do the same. We want to consider lands. We want our three bands to take lands next to each other. From the Battleford River to the Eagle Hills. This is what we want, the Pile of Eagle Feather hills. This where want to reside. Ahtahkakoop response was, we would love the idea of creating a large territory but unfortunately, I have been talking to our people and we are considering lands in the north where there are lakes so our people can fish for food. We are on the move north to find these lakes. I cannot commit my band to your thoughts. The next day, they packed their camp and were moving north.
Along their trek were thickwooded hills just between Shell Lake of what’s called Spiritwood. They arrived at Fur Lake. Two miles west of Mont Nebo and took up there and lived the for four to five year. There are grave sites there and my grandfather wanted to take me there to go see them, but I never had a chance. They scouted west into Turtleford area on horse back. They came upon turtle lake, but it was too large. Witchekan Lake had no fish. They went south of Spiritwood to Long Lake. They went north to Green Lake, but there were too many mosquitos and horse flies. On their way back, they came upon the north end of Sandy Lake. They thought it was the right size. There were fish, hills, rivers, streams, marshes and trees. Atahkahkoop instructed his warriors to go advise the others to move camp here. Two years before treaty, the band had settled on this land and they had already decided where they wanted to create a reserve. Mistawasis also moved from the battlefords and took up land around east of Leask, Saskkatchewan. He took up land where they are now.
In conclusion, this is the origin of Ahtahkakoops people.
People from the north called Ayahtchenewak (Strange peoples or Blackfoot) travelled west first and our people followed there after. The Churchill River was named Ayahchenew Sipiy which was name after these early migrants (Strange People). Down south-east was geographically called Kihchi Sakahikan (the Great Lakes) and rivers such as the Kihchi Sipiy (St. Lawrence River), Lake Ontario, Lake Huron, Lake Superior. Ayahtchenew Sipiy was named after these people now called Churchill River. These people came first also Kihchi Sakahikan (Lake Ontario) is where our people came from and others heading west. Our people travelled that route. Neheyawak came from the Great Lakes such as our people (Algonquin People).
Our people settled and took land at Peyisew Wachihk (Thunder Bay, Ontario). This is where the Mistatim Isimowin (horse dance) began. I distinguish the ceremonies from this era and along the shores of Kichikamihk (Great Lakes) came the ceremony called Peyisew Simowin (Thunder Bird Dance). Some nations still call it the same Peyisew Simowin. Another ceremony was called
Okihchitaw Simowin was carried out two days such as the Peyisew Simowin. These ceremonies were Atayohkewin (legends) told by our forefathers as they continue to migrate west. From then on, a horse dance was blessed to a man named Pahkwes. He went to seek a vision quest (Kekosimowin) in the mountains. Nothing came of it. He was there praying and fasting for four days and four nights. But, as he descended from the mountains, he fell asleep halfway down the mountain that’s when he was foretold. A white horse with wings appeared before him and the Misatim Isimowin (Horse Dance) ceremony was bestowed to him by the winged horse. He was given songs to use in ceremony. He was told to use fourteen poles and how they should be placed in the lodge. But at that time there were no horses back in the east. The winged horse instructed him, “You have to tell Napehkasewenowak (Warriors) at the Okihchitaw kamikohk (The Warriors Lodge) about this vision. You are to travel west with them. In your travels, there will be a vast forest, rivers, lakes and muskegs and but eventually, you will come into plains territory. It is there where you will find horses. You have to catch them, tame them and bring them back. Upon your return with the horses is when you can carry out the fourteen-lodge pole ceremony.
When he reached the camp, he shared his vision. This is what he was told to do. He went down and told of his dream to the warriors, we have to go ahead where the sun sets to find horses. We will find horses and bring them back and make them dance in the ceremony. We will use (napehkwana) fringes to bless the ceremony. And so, the venture began. There were approximately twenty (20) to thirty (30) men. They were a large group and so they did come across the plains and right around where Winnipeg is. They gathered the horses and tamed them and then brought them back to Thunder Bay, Ontario but, I won’t elaborate on that story further. That is where the horse dance originated. This is how we learned their way of life.
The group continued to migrate along the plains and they came upon vast prairies when Ahtahkakoop were still children and they settled around Bigger, Saskatchewan and south of there. Geographically between Kindersley and Bigger, Saskatchewan. There were Tawatinaw wacheya (rolling hills) Waheyaw Ka-itaskweyahk (long plains) in the area where a place named Buffalo Hump Hills, the hump on a Buffalo is called kaskiskawan (Buffalo Hump) this is where Ahtahkakoop was raised kaskiskawan atinawah. They traveled everywhere to hunt and gather.
My grand father used to confuse me about nitopayiwin (leads a war party) raids on other tribes. I used to wonder how far these war parties had to travel. Others foretold these stories such as late Angus Knife and late Allan Ahenakew. These men used to talk about kaskiskawan atinawa is where we originated. We were true plains Indians. When they lead their raids, this is where they came from. They used to go raid the Red People camps (Blood Tribes) and the Dakotas south into now United States. Mostly to steal and capture their horses down south.
Meanwhile, Mistawasis lived and raised his family in the east around Mikisew Sipiysis (Eagle Creek). Southeast of Rosetown, Saskatchewan, and it was a great plain. This is where Mistawasis dwelled with his people. There was an abundance of chokecherry bushes in that area as well an abundance of Buffalo everywhere. They used to use the choke cherries and blend it with buffalo pounded dry meat and they made pimikan. They worked cooperatively with Mistawasis and Ahtahakoop’s people. They never ran out of supplies or ever was hungry. They used the hides to make shelter such as apahkwan (teepees), they were rich in abundance of buffalo.
Ahasiw-Akohp (Crow blanket) went on the raid with the red people or the bloods in southern Alberta and they stole many horses. On their way back home with horses and right around Alsask, Saskatchewan, just south of there are three hills. As they were just coming over a hill when on the other side of the hill, his warriors look behind and saw crow blanket stopped and dismounted his horse on top a hill. An arrow was stuck to his knee and the warriors yelled, “Ayhay nakew!” The warriors went back and one of the warriors jumped off and said, “look at the plume of dust behind us, they’re coming”. Threw Crow Blanket back on his horse and they kept riding as Blood warriors were chasing them and they kept going. They were close to their camp and knew the blackfoot would not dare come close to our camps as they would have been out-numbered. Crow blanket was being chased by the bloods and they arrived at mistapew kanawachet Neheyawa (big man cooking Indians) They resided between two mountains on north/east side is where the camp was and his children were growing and becoming men. Ahtahkakoop was one of them. The camp made a victory dance for Crow Blanket and the warriors upon arrival. The young boys were being groomed to steal horses Crow Blanket was given a dance by women that by giving thanks that nobody what’s fatally injured and they celebrated as the warriors would stop dancing and told their version of what happened and about how crow blanket stopped and was injured “Ayhay nakew” was given the name to Crow Blanket and eventually his name change to Ayhay nakew, it became a common name to all the people and the name Crow Blanket was gradually being phased out. Crow Blanket was to be our last names but it eventually changed to Ayhay Nakew (Ahenakew).
There was a mountain named “Ayhay Nakewin” where Crow Blanket has dismounted his horse during the raid. There are three mountains there, approximately ten miles south of Alsask, Saskatchewan and further south were more mountains towards Leader, Saskatchewan named kinepik oskowansa (snake nose hills) around Kindersley is called Kenkasini (Pointed Rock), there’s a big pointed rock that was sticking out of the ground there. There was also another hill near Bigger, Saskatchewan called Wapastim Kanepowit (where a White Horse stands) people used to see a White Horse standing by a lake in the area, a premonition. This is where Ahtahkakoop’s people dwelled.
Approximately, ten years before treaty payments began, people used to come together in an encampment and traded buffalo hides. Ahtahkakoop and Mistawasis were informed by the white traders that many of our white people are arriving on this land and moving west. There are many arriving every day on sail boats from the east.
So, they called a meeting and amongst them were Mihko Pehiw (Red Pheasant), Mistawasis and Ahtahkakoop. They summoned Ahtahkakoop’s younger brother Napeskes, he was the youngest. They instructed him to go on a fact-finding mission, “We want you to go to the east and confirm the validity of the traders’ revelation” that many of their people are coming. Your eyes will be our eyes, your ears will be our ears. We want you to go alone. No one will mind you if you are alone. No one will bother you, we know that you can make it. You will go scout out to see if its true. They asked him, “Will you be brave enough to carry this venture out?” Napeskes said he would take on the mission.
So away he went to the east. He came across many different indigenous people such as Ojibway people and Onatowewak (Iroquois people). He arrived in Montreal. Moniyaw Ohtinaw (white man city) he saw apartments that were three stories high. They were so many white people everywhere like ants sprawling over one another. Furthermore, he did observe so many white people coming off sailboats on the St. Lawrence River onto the city.
One day, as Napeskes was standing outside of his hotel, he observed business men in suits. A six-team horse drawn wagon was parked beside them and a young woman was on the wagon. He wasn’t very far. He was closely observing the situation and something spooked the horses and took off. The business men froze and didn’t move at all. Napeskes jumped into action and chased the wagon and jump on the back of the wagon and onto the backs of the horses. From one horse to the next. He jumped onto the lead horse and grabbed the reins from the bridle and stopped the run-away team. He dismounted the lead horse and led the team back to where the businessmen were standing. He had another person hold the team of horses. One of the business men summoned him as he wanted to talk to him. The business man had an Ojibway interpreter. He wanted to know his name. The business man said, “this man practically saved my daughter’s life”. The interpreter asked him what his name was, “what is your name?” He said his name was Napeskes. Of course, they didn’t understand what Napeskes meant. So, they wrote his name on a piece of paper. Tell him that, I am the owner of the Hudson’s Bay Company. I own all of the stores. To express my gratitude, I want to give him this paper for saving my daughter’s life. With this paper (voucher) he can enter any of my stores and he will receive whatever it is that he wants for free. I am so thankful for his bravery. He told Napeskes to guard the paper as he signed it, he folded the paper neatly and placed it in his person.
And so, Napeskes made his journey back home to his people in Saskatchewan. He saw the people coming off the boats, he also saw the Iroquois and the Ojibway were assigned to Lands and the reserve system was beginning the lands were set aside for people and he made that revelation when he returned to meet with the Chiefs. This was ten years before treaty was signed in Saskatchewan in 1866. This is what my grandfather had told me years ago.
And so when he returned, the chiefs were in a meeting, Ahtahkakoop, Red Pheasant and Mistawasis and together they lifted the pipe to smoke and Nepeskis told his story. The traders were right, they are coming not immediately but there will be more white people coming to our territory. I have seen the houses, the towns and their cities. They were living in apartments also seen the Iroquois were given land for reserves. It is bound to happen in our territory soon. Napeskis finished what he was set out to do so.
Six years later in 1870 Red Pheasant and Mistawasis met in North Battleford. They went to meet in Fort Battleford and they also invited Ahtahkakoop. They asked the question, “what should we do, white people are coming and they’re going to take up land in our traditional territories, also lands are being set aside as reserves and it is already happening in the east?” Ahtahkakoop said, the Buffalo are diminishing we may have to move north and find lakes with fish and so our children and grandchildren can live off fish and hunting other game.
And so, they began to migrate. They had no choice but to leave kaskiskawan atinawah (Buffalo Hump Hills) they arrived in North Battleford. There were camps of Mistawasis and Red Pheasant. Ahtahkakoop went and sat with the two Chiefs, Mistawasis and Red Pheasant. Mistawasis told Ahathakoop that, they have already been discussing what Napeskes saw in the east regarding the lands being set aside for Indians. We may have to do the same. We want to consider lands. We want our three bands to take lands next to each other. From the Battleford River to the Eagle Hills. This is what we want, the Pile of Eagle Feather hills. This where want to reside. Ahtahkakoop response was, we would love the idea of creating a large territory but unfortunately, I have been talking to our people and we are considering lands in the north where there are lakes so our people can fish for food. We are on the move north to find these lakes. I cannot commit my band to your thoughts. The next day, they packed their camp and were moving north.
Along their trek were thickwooded hills just between Shell Lake of what’s called Spiritwood. They arrived at Fur Lake. Two miles west of Mont Nebo and took up there and lived the for four to five year. There are grave sites there and my grandfather wanted to take me there to go see them, but I never had a chance. They scouted west into Turtleford area on horse back. They came upon turtle lake, but it was too large. Witchekan Lake had no fish. They went south of Spiritwood to Long Lake. They went north to Green Lake, but there were too many mosquitos and horse flies. On their way back, they came upon the north end of Sandy Lake. They thought it was the right size. There were fish, hills, rivers, streams, marshes and trees. Atahkahkoop instructed his warriors to go advise the others to move camp here. Two years before treaty, the band had settled on this land and they had already decided where they wanted to create a reserve. Mistawasis also moved from the battlefords and took up land around east of Leask, Saskkatchewan. He took up land where they are now.
In conclusion, this is the origin of Ahtahkakoops people.