This biography of Big Bear (~1825-1888) is a high-interest, low-vocabulary book for adolescents and adults with limited literacy skills. Big Bear was a famous Cree leader who hoped for peace between the white settlers and the Cree. He signed a peace treaty with the Blackfoot, believing that violence does not bring peace. He held out on signing Treaty 6 hoping to win more rights for his people. In the end, Big Bear had no choice but to sign the treaty. Broken promises led to bloodshed at Frog Lake and Fort Pitt in spite of Big Bear's efforts to promote peace. Big Bear was found guilty of treason and imprisoned for one year. He died in 1888. Lexile 450L
Big Bear was chief of Cree Indians in Canada. He fought for his people but was defeated and forced to sign a treaty. He met Louis Riel and perhaps asked him for help, but like Riel, Big Bear was sentenced to prison as a traitor. Queen victoria was representing Canada in those days. We can see the trace of British imperialism everywhere in world history.