TRANSCRIPT

Carter Yellowbird, a descendent of Big Bear, narrates the story of Chief Big Bear as told by Edward Ahenakew, a Cree ordained Anglican priest, born on the Sandy Lake Reserve, as told to him by Chief Thunderchild before his death in 1927

'In the end, his peaceful ambitions could not restrain such reckless men as his war-chief, Wandering Spirit, or his own son, Imasees. When the news reached Frog Lake of the Metis repulse of the Police force at Duck Lake, all the resentment and smoldering hatred burst forth in the murder of eight white men and one Metis. Then came the plundering of Fort Pitt, the encounter with General Strange's column at Frenchman's Butte, and the retreat to Loon Lake, when the Cree force broke into small straggling groups.'

Narrated by Carter Yellowbird