Chief Yellow Quill and headmen Kenistin and Ne-Pin-awa adhered to TREATY 4 on August 24, 1876, at Fort Pelly. In September 1881 a reserve was surveyed at Fishing and Nut Lakes; Chief Yellow Quill chose the Nut Lake Reserve, situated 8 km east of Rose Valley. Band members continued to trap, hunt and fish until the disappearance of fur-bearing and big game animals forced them to begin farming in the 1930s. They progressed quickly, and by the mid-1950s grain sales provided their primary source of income. The first school was built on the reserve in 1949. Many of our people attended residential schools all over western Canada. My father was hidden by his father George Cheekinew (Big Eagle) so he would not lose his traditional ways. Following Yellow Quill’s death, Kittiekawinninie or Farmer (born in 1887) became chief for life. The band successfully ratified a Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement on September 23, 1992, and in 1997 purchased an office complex in downtown Saskatoon. So I traveled with Chief Farmer in his horse drawn wagon when I was a child. I was also the last person to see him alive. I used to see him walking on the road and my father informed me that he was doing his job. His job was being Chief and he was checking on his people all over the reserve on foot. I was in the back of his wagon when a vehicle struck us on the side: I could have been killed however one of my relatives Fred Roper saved my life. Chief Farmer was driving the wagon and my father was sitting with him: I was about two or three years old at the time. I loved visiting the people with my dad in Yellowquill. When Chief Farmer was brought into the hospital by ambulance I recognized him and so I stayed as close as I could to him. I was about 13 that year and I was not allowed to attend the funeral as in those days children and youth were very seldom allowed in these ceremonies. An Elder Delving Kewistep was just buried this past week and she had a photograph of Chief Farmer. So I thought I would share this with you today so maybe you can visit and hear stories from our Elders. Have a great day. All my Relations.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 18:35:09 +0000
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