John Baptiste dit Bacheese Tootoosis

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Jump to: navigation, search John Tootoosis Born July 18, 1899 Poundmaker Cree Nation Died February 1, 1989 (aged 89) Awards Member of the Order of Canada John Baptiste Tootoosis (July 18, 1899 Poundmaker Reserve, Saskatchewan – February 1, 1989) was a prominent Cree First Nations leader in Canada. He is the grandson of Yellow Mud Blanket, the brother of legendary Cree leader Pitikwahanapiwiyin, also known as Poundmaker.

Contents [hide] 1
Early life and family 2
Career 3
References 4
Further reading

Early life and family[edit] Tootoosis was born on the Poundmaker Reserve in Saskatchewanto to Mary Theresa and John Tootoosi. He grew up in a close-knit family, but at the age of 13 was sent away to attend the Thunderchild Residential School, also known as the Delmas Residential School,[1] a Roman Catholic residential school located near North Battleford, Saskatchewan.[2] He returned to the reserve at the age of 17 where his father began to get him involved in the community's political life.[1] He married Louisa Angus from Thunderchild in 1929. She passed away in 1987.[3] They had ten sons and three daughters and many of their children and grandchildren were involved in cultural and artistic practice.[3] His son Gordon Tootoosis was a well-known actor. His son Wilfred Tootoosis was a performer and storyteller. His daughter Jean Cuthand Goodwill was the first indigenous woman to graduate from a nursing program in Saskatchewan and wrote a biography on Tootoosis. His grandson Tyrone Tootoosis was an activist, story keeper and actor and was awarded the Canadian Diamond Jubilee medal.[4] Career[edit] Tootoosis was appointed chief of his band by his community in 1920. His leadership was not recognized by the Canadian government's Department of Indian Affairs, the branch of government responsible for reserves as the Indian Act dictated that a chief had to be 25 and another chief was chosen.[5] Despite this Tootoosis continued to assert a leadership position.[1] Upon the formation of the Union of Saskatchewan Indians in 1946, he served as its president and later as a member of the executive. In 1959, the union was reorganized as the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN), and Tootoosis became its first president. In 1970, he was appointed to the federation's newly formed senate, and served in this capacity for the next 19 years. In recognition of his work and his devotion to "...seeking answers to the grave problems of his people"[6] he was became a Member of the Order of Canada in 1986.[1] Tootoosis died on February 2, 1989. References[edit] ^ Jump up to: a b c d Saskatchewan, Cory Toth - Encyclopedia Of. "The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan | Details". esask.uregina.ca. Retrieved 2017-08-05. Jump up ^ "Thunderchild Residential School". The Eugenics Archives. Retrieved 2017-08-05. ^ Jump up to: a b "John B. Tootoosis". www.sicc.sk.ca. Retrieved 2017-08-06. Jump up ^ "Cree cultural icon dies at his home near Duck Lake, Sask". CBC News. Retrieved 2017-08-08. Jump up ^ "Native Leaders of Canada - John Tootoosis". www.newfederation.org. Retrieved 2017-08-05. Jump up ^ Governor General of Canada. "John B. Tootoosis, C.M". Order of Canada Recipients. Retrieved August 5, 2017.

The political history of Saskatchewan Indians in the Twentieth century was witnessed, lead and supported by John B. Tootoosis. John Tootoosis passed away Wednesday February 1. He was 89. He was born on the Poundmaker reserve on July 18, 1899 to parents Mary Theresa and John Tootoosis (Sr.). His grandfather was Yellow Mud Blanket, Poundmaker's brother. In 1929 he married Louisa Angus from Thunderchild who predeceased him by two years. John's history as a political leader goes back to 1920 when he was appointed Chief of the band. His authority was denied by Indian Affairs because he was not yet 21. During the 1930's John worked for the League of Indians of Western Canada. He was elected secretary and organizer for the Prairie Region. Throughout this period he didn't earn a salary but relied on donations from supporters to get him from band to band. He would meet with the people on a reserve and following the meeting they would pass the hat and give him enough money to travel to the next meeting. At that time Indians had to have a permit to leave the reserve, but John never bothered. Once the RCMP caught up with him at Broadview and placed him on a train to Cutknife. The next year when he received his treaty money the train fare had been deducted. John continued to organize Saskatchewan Indians in spite of attempts by government to restrict his movements, and ban him from reserves. He was also threatened with excommunication from the Catholic church. In 1946 the protective association and the association of Saskatchewan Indians met to form the Union of Saskatchewan Indians. Over the years John served as both President and executive member for the Union. In 1959 they reorganized as the Federation of Saskatchewan Indians and John was elected as the first President of the Federation. In 1970, he was appointed to the newly formed Senate of the FSI and for the next 19 years served his people as an active elder statesman. John was very active in the Lander lobby to protect Treaty rights and maintain our special link with the Imperial Crown. His efforts and the efforts of other leaders led to the entrenchment of Treaties in the Canadian Charter of Rights as well as to four First Ministers Conferences to define the rights. His ambitious life's work remains incomplete and will be carried on for generations to come. John is survived by ten sons; Wilfred (Irene), Al (Aldina), Edwin (Millie), Simon, Austin (Harveen), Gordon (Irene), Martin, Eric (Dian), Arsene (Kim), Leonard (Lois) and three daughters; Jean (Ken) Goodwill, Leona (Henry), Shirley (Harold); fifty-one grandchildren and thirty seven great grandchildren.