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'''Chief Akaitcho''' (variants: '''Akaicho''' or '''Ekeicho'''; translation: ''Big-Foot'', or ''Big-Feet''; meaning: "like a wolf with big paws, he can travel long distances over snow") (ca. 1786-1838) was a Copper Indian, and Chief of the [[Yellowknives]].<ref name="Richardson">{{cite book|last=Richardson|first=John |coauthors=C. Stuart Houston & H. Albert Hochbaum |title=Arctic Ordeal: The Journal of John Richardson, Surgeon-Naturalist With Franklin 1820-1822|editor=C. Stuart Houston|publisher=McGill-Queen's Press|date=1994 |pages=5|isbn=0773512233|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=OQ6BM-VSDl0C&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=%22White+Capot%22&source=bl&ots=zB3t9HRPOk&sig=FO9qH1kO8rW_6Sc4aHNpqVxSagc&hl=en&ei=z62xSqOsLZWIMafd1PIN&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1#v=snippet&q=Akaicho&f=false}}</ref><ref name="Emeriti">{{cite book|last=McIntosh|first=Gordon |coauthors=Mary Spencer & Kay Dier|others=University of Alberta. Association of Professors Emeriti|title=Echoes in the halls: an unofficial history of the University of Alberta|publisher=University of Alberta|date=1999 |pages=136|isbn=1552200744|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Ffj6LuMt_R4C&pg=PA136&dq=akaitcho+%22big+foot%22&as_brr=3&client=firefox-a#v=onepage&q=akaitcho%20%22big%20foot%22&f=false}}</ref><ref name="Struzik">{{cite book|last=Struzik|first=Edward|coauthors=Mike Beedell|title=Northwest Passage: the quest for an Arctic route to the east |publisher=Key Porter Books|date=1991|edition=Digitized Oct 4, 2008|pages=63|isbn=1550131818|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=TwB_AAAAMAAJ&q=akaitcho+chief&dq=akaitcho+chief&client=firefox-a}}</ref> His territory included the region from the eastern portion of the [[Great Slave Lake]], in the [[Northwest Territories]], [[Canada]], to the [[Coppermine River]], in [[Nunavut]]. He was notable as an interpreter, guide, and hunter for Arctic explorers Sir [[John Franklin]] and Sir [[George Back]] during the [[Coppermine Expedition of 1819–1822]].<ref name="ucalgary">{{cite journal|last=Helm|first=June|coauthors=Beryl C. Gillespie|journal=Arctic|volume=36|issue=2|pages=208|url=http://pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca/arctic/Arctic36-2-208.pdf}}</ref> |
'''Chief Akaitcho''' (variants: '''Akaicho''' or '''Ekeicho'''; translation: ''Big-Foot'', or ''Big-Feet''; meaning: "like a wolf with big paws, he can travel long distances over snow") (ca. 1786-1838) was a Copper Indian, and Chief of the [[Yellowknives]].<ref name="Richardson">{{cite book|last=Richardson|first=John |coauthors=C. Stuart Houston & H. Albert Hochbaum |title=Arctic Ordeal: The Journal of John Richardson, Surgeon-Naturalist With Franklin 1820-1822|editor=C. Stuart Houston|publisher=McGill-Queen's Press|date=1994 |pages=5|isbn=0773512233|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=OQ6BM-VSDl0C&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=%22White+Capot%22&source=bl&ots=zB3t9HRPOk&sig=FO9qH1kO8rW_6Sc4aHNpqVxSagc&hl=en&ei=z62xSqOsLZWIMafd1PIN&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1#v=snippet&q=Akaicho&f=false}}</ref><ref name="Emeriti">{{cite book|last=McIntosh|first=Gordon |coauthors=Mary Spencer & Kay Dier|others=University of Alberta. Association of Professors Emeriti|title=Echoes in the halls: an unofficial history of the University of Alberta|publisher=University of Alberta|date=1999 |pages=136|isbn=1552200744|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Ffj6LuMt_R4C&pg=PA136&dq=akaitcho+%22big+foot%22&as_brr=3&client=firefox-a#v=onepage&q=akaitcho%20%22big%20foot%22&f=false}}</ref><ref name="Struzik">{{cite book|last=Struzik|first=Edward|coauthors=Mike Beedell|title=Northwest Passage: the quest for an Arctic route to the east |publisher=Key Porter Books|date=1991|edition=Digitized Oct 4, 2008|pages=63|isbn=1550131818|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=TwB_AAAAMAAJ&q=akaitcho+chief&dq=akaitcho+chief&client=firefox-a}}</ref> His territory included the region from the eastern portion of the [[Great Slave Lake]], in the [[Northwest Territories]], [[Canada]], to the [[Coppermine River]], in [[Nunavut]]. He was notable as an interpreter, guide, and hunter for Arctic explorers Sir [[John Franklin]], Sir [[John Richardson (naturalist)|John Richardson]], and Sir [[George Back]] during the [[Coppermine Expedition of 1819–1822]].<ref name="ucalgary">{{cite journal|last=Helm|first=June|coauthors=Beryl C. Gillespie|journal=Arctic|volume=36|issue=2|pages=208|url=http://pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca/arctic/Arctic36-2-208.pdf}}</ref> |
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==Career== |
==Career== |
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===Coppermine Expedition=== |
===Coppermine Expedition=== |
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In 1820, when his tribe numbered about 190, Akaitcho and his men, including Akaitcho's brothers, Humpy and White Capot,<ref>Richardson (1994), pp. 42</ref> were recruited by the North West Company to serve as guides and hunters for a [[Royal Navy]] expedition. The expeditionary group consisted of Franklin, the expedition commander, |
In 1820, when his tribe numbered about 190, Akaitcho and his men, including Akaitcho's brothers, Humpy and White Capot,<ref>Richardson (1994), pp. 42</ref> were recruited by the North West Company to serve as guides and hunters for a [[Royal Navy]] expedition. The expeditionary group consisted of Franklin, the expedition commander, Richardson, doctor and naturalist, [[Midshipman|Midshipmen]] Robert Hood and Back, and [[Ordinary Seaman (rating)|Ordinary Seaman]] John Hepburn. They met at Fort Providence in July.<ref>{{cite book |title=Narrative of a Journey to the Shores of the Polar Sea in the Years 1819-22 |last=Franklin |first=John |authorlink=John Franklin |year=1823 |publisher=John Murray |location=London|pages=140 }} Quoted in Fleming.</ref> Akaitcho's terms included cancellation of his tribe's debts to the North West Company, plus provisions of weapons, ammunition and tobacco. In return, his men would hunt and guide for the expedition during its north-bound journey on the Coppermine River, and they would leave food supplies for Franklin's return. Akaitcho made it clear his men would not enter [[Inuit]] lands north of the river as there was mutual hostility and suspicion between the two groups. Akaitcho also warned Franklin that food would not always be available.<ref>{{cite book |title=Minutes of Council, Northern Department of Rupert Land 1821-31 |last=Fleming |first=H. (ed.) |year=1941 |publisher=The Champlain Society |location=Toronto |page=341 }}</ref> In addition to Franklin's expeditionary party, the group had expanded to include another six Europeans, two Metis interpreters, and 17 others, including women and children. They reached the winter encampment of Fort Enterprise on Winter Lake, named by Franklin and chosen by Akaitcho, with food supplies running short and Franklin's men losing faith in him. |
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The Franklin expedition re-started again in June 1821 and they reached the [[Arctic Ocean]] by July 14. After Franklin issued orders to the Yellowknives to leave food caches along the journey home and to restock Fort Enterprise, the Yellowknives left for home. However, they did not re-stock Fort Enterprise for several reasons. First, three of Akaitcho hunters died falling through ice on a frozen lake. Second, Akaitcho did not receive ammunition supplies at Fort Providence. But the main reason was Akaitcho's belief that the expedition was folly, and that Franklin's party would not live to return to Fort Enterprise.<ref>Fleming pp. 149-150</ref> Within weeks, Back returned to Fort Enterprise before Franklin and found it devoid of food. He set off for Fort Providence, eventually reaching it and convincing some of Akaitcho's men to return with him. Back and three Yellowknives returned to Fort Enterprise on 7 November to find the starving Franklin party had arrived. The Yellowknives brought meat, caught fish, and tended to the survivors. A week later, the group left Fort Enterprise, safely reaching Fort Providence on 11 December.<ref name="Mills">{{cite book|last=Mills|first=William James |title=Exploring polar frontiers: a historical encyclopedia|publisher=ABC-CLIO|date=2003 |volume=1|pages=239-240|isbn=1576074226|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=PYdBH4dOOM4C&pg=PA238&lpg=PA238&dq=akaitcho+franklin&source=bl&ots=hbE0uMCBoe&sig=jp2THngoa0A1C_9qiJyB1x98HTw&hl=en&ei=51mxSuL1D4vOsQPYt4XHCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6#v=onepage&q=akaitcho%20franklin&f=false}}</ref> |
The Franklin expedition re-started again in June 1821 and they reached the [[Arctic Ocean]] by July 14. After Franklin issued orders to the Yellowknives to leave food caches along the journey home and to restock Fort Enterprise, the Yellowknives left for home. However, they did not re-stock Fort Enterprise for several reasons. First, three of Akaitcho hunters died falling through ice on a frozen lake. Second, Akaitcho did not receive ammunition supplies at Fort Providence. But the main reason was Akaitcho's belief that the expedition was folly, and that Franklin's party would not live to return to Fort Enterprise.<ref>Fleming pp. 149-150</ref> Within weeks, Back returned to Fort Enterprise before Franklin and found it devoid of food. He set off for Fort Providence, eventually reaching it and convincing some of Akaitcho's men to return with him. Back and three Yellowknives returned to Fort Enterprise on 7 November to find the starving Franklin party had arrived. The Yellowknives brought meat, caught fish, and tended to the survivors. A week later, the group left Fort Enterprise, safely reaching Fort Providence on 11 December.<ref name="Mills">{{cite book|last=Mills|first=William James |title=Exploring polar frontiers: a historical encyclopedia|publisher=ABC-CLIO|date=2003 |volume=1|pages=239-240|isbn=1576074226|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=PYdBH4dOOM4C&pg=PA238&lpg=PA238&dq=akaitcho+franklin&source=bl&ots=hbE0uMCBoe&sig=jp2THngoa0A1C_9qiJyB1x98HTw&hl=en&ei=51mxSuL1D4vOsQPYt4XHCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6#v=onepage&q=akaitcho%20franklin&f=false}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 04:20, 17 September 2009
Akaitcho | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Chief Akaitcho and his son. | |
| Born | ca. 1786 |
| Died | Spring 1838 |
| Resting place | An island in Yellowknife Bay |
| Other names | Big-Foot, or Big-Feet |
| Known for | Chief of a Yellowknives tribe |
| Relatives | François Beaulieu, brother-in-law |
Chief Akaitcho (variants: Akaicho or Ekeicho; translation: Big-Foot, or Big-Feet; meaning: "like a wolf with big paws, he can travel long distances over snow") (ca. 1786-1838) was a Copper Indian, and Chief of the Yellowknives.[1][2][3] His territory included the region from the eastern portion of the Great Slave Lake, in the Northwest Territories, Canada, to the Coppermine River, in Nunavut. He was notable as an interpreter, guide, and hunter for Arctic explorers Sir John Franklin, Sir John Richardson, and Sir George Back during the Coppermine Expedition of 1819–1822.[4]
Career
Akaitcho was considered a man "of great penetration and shrewdness"[5] and an aggressive leader. His tribe, who spoke their own dialect, consisted of the northwesternmost Chipewyan people. They traded meat supplies to the North West Company's Fort Providence trading post, situated on the East Arm of the Great Slave Lake. They were also known for pillaging, stealing woman, and killing Dogrib and Hare Indians.[4]
Coppermine Expedition
In 1820, when his tribe numbered about 190, Akaitcho and his men, including Akaitcho's brothers, Humpy and White Capot,[6] were recruited by the North West Company to serve as guides and hunters for a Royal Navy expedition. The expeditionary group consisted of Franklin, the expedition commander, Richardson, doctor and naturalist, Midshipmen Robert Hood and Back, and Ordinary Seaman John Hepburn. They met at Fort Providence in July.[7] Akaitcho's terms included cancellation of his tribe's debts to the North West Company, plus provisions of weapons, ammunition and tobacco. In return, his men would hunt and guide for the expedition during its north-bound journey on the Coppermine River, and they would leave food supplies for Franklin's return. Akaitcho made it clear his men would not enter Inuit lands north of the river as there was mutual hostility and suspicion between the two groups. Akaitcho also warned Franklin that food would not always be available.[8] In addition to Franklin's expeditionary party, the group had expanded to include another six Europeans, two Metis interpreters, and 17 others, including women and children. They reached the winter encampment of Fort Enterprise on Winter Lake, named by Franklin and chosen by Akaitcho, with food supplies running short and Franklin's men losing faith in him.
The Franklin expedition re-started again in June 1821 and they reached the Arctic Ocean by July 14. After Franklin issued orders to the Yellowknives to leave food caches along the journey home and to restock Fort Enterprise, the Yellowknives left for home. However, they did not re-stock Fort Enterprise for several reasons. First, three of Akaitcho hunters died falling through ice on a frozen lake. Second, Akaitcho did not receive ammunition supplies at Fort Providence. But the main reason was Akaitcho's belief that the expedition was folly, and that Franklin's party would not live to return to Fort Enterprise.[9] Within weeks, Back returned to Fort Enterprise before Franklin and found it devoid of food. He set off for Fort Providence, eventually reaching it and convincing some of Akaitcho's men to return with him. Back and three Yellowknives returned to Fort Enterprise on 7 November to find the starving Franklin party had arrived. The Yellowknives brought meat, caught fish, and tended to the survivors. A week later, the group left Fort Enterprise, safely reaching Fort Providence on 11 December.[10]
In their subsequently published journals, Franklin referred to the chief as "Akaitcho" or "Big Foot", Richardson referred to him as "Akaicho" or "Gros Pied", and Back referred to him as "Ekeicho".[11]
Peacemaker
Akaitcho was a peacemaker who, with Dogrib Chief Edzo, ended a long period of hostility and warfare between the two tribes.[12]
Personal life
In addition to brothers Humpy and White Capot (Annoethai-yazzeh), Akaitcho had at least one other brother, Keskarrah, who was known to accompany Matonabbee, a Chipewyan chief. A sister was married to François Beaulieu, a Metis chief.[13]
In old age, out of respect, Akaitcho and his elder wives were transported by younger men whenever the tribe moved.
Legacy
Akaicho's legacy is honored by the formation of the Akaitcho Territory Government, a First Nations organization representing the Dene people of the Northwest Territories. Akaitcho Lake, located in Nunavut, between Great Bear Lake and the Coppermine River, is also named in his honor.
References
- ^ Richardson, John (1994). C. Stuart Houston (ed.). Arctic Ordeal: The Journal of John Richardson, Surgeon-Naturalist With Franklin 1820-1822. McGill-Queen's Press. p. 5. ISBN 0773512233.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ McIntosh, Gordon (1999). Echoes in the halls: an unofficial history of the University of Alberta. University of Alberta. Association of Professors Emeriti. University of Alberta. p. 136. ISBN 1552200744.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Struzik, Edward (1991). Northwest Passage: the quest for an Arctic route to the east (Digitized Oct 4, 2008 ed.). Key Porter Books. p. 63. ISBN 1550131818.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Helm, June. Arctic. 36 (2): 208 http://pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca/arctic/Arctic36-2-208.pdf.
{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty|title=(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Franklin, p. 251. Quoted in Fleming
- ^ Richardson (1994), pp. 42
- ^ Franklin, John (1823). Narrative of a Journey to the Shores of the Polar Sea in the Years 1819-22. London: John Murray. p. 140. Quoted in Fleming.
- ^ Fleming, H. (ed.) (1941). Minutes of Council, Northern Department of Rupert Land 1821-31. Toronto: The Champlain Society. p. 341.
{{cite book}}:|first=has generic name (help) - ^ Fleming pp. 149-150
- ^ Mills, William James (2003). Exploring polar frontiers: a historical encyclopedia. Vol. 1. ABC-CLIO. pp. 239–240. ISBN 1576074226.
- ^ Back, Sir George (1994). Clarence Stuart Houston & I. S. MacLaren (ed.). Arctic artist: the journal and paintings of George Back, midshipman with Franklin, 1819-1822. Volume 3 of Rupert's Land Record Society series. Rupert's Land Record Society. McGill-Queen's Press. p. 61. ISBN 0773511814.
- ^ "Akaitcho, Great Chief of the Yellowknife". greatcanadianlakes.com. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
- ^ Crowe, Keith J. (1991). A history of the original peoples of northern Canada (2 ed.). McGill-Queen's Press. p. 79. ISBN 0773508805.