What truly makes Crowfoot an exceptional leader? Is it his bravery and determination that shaped him into the great leader we know today? Crowfoot, also known as Isapo-muxika, was a Siksika chief known for his involvement in Treaty No. 7. To do everything possible for the safety of his people. In this essay, I will analyze Chief Crowfoot's decision-making, leadership contributions to Treaty No. 7, and his overall life.
Prior to his involvement in Treaty No. 7, Crowfoot was born in 1830 near the Belly River, which is now Alberta, Canada. Crowfoot was born to Kainai parents; his father was named Istowun-eh’pata, meaning Packs a Knife, and his mother was named Axkahp-say-pi, meaning Attacked Towards Home. At 5 years old, Crowfoot's father was attacked and killed by…show more content… His mother, the same year, remarried a Siksika named Akay-nehka-simi, a Blackfoot tribe member, and Crowfoot was raised among the Silsika community. As a teenager, Crowfoot had always had a great desire to protect others and be a leader. He showcased this ability by following older, more experienced warriors on raids against their tribe rivals. During his time at Crow Camp, he was participating in a raid on horses. He struck a painted tipi, and although he was wounded, he demonstrated bravery. For his courageous act, he was rewarded with his adult name, Isapo-muxika, a name that was held by a relative who was killed years later. His given name, Isapo-muxika, properly translates to "Crow Indian's big foot," but was altered by interpreters to Crowfoot. He earned his reputation as a leader and warrior by going to war and being wounded several times. Before he turned 20, he had engaged in 19 battles and been wounded six times. The wound that has troubled him the most occurred during a raid on the Shoshoni Indians during the winter. He was shot in the back and had never gotten the lead ball taken out; this caused him lots of trouble in his later years, causing it to be painful to ride horses or to travel
