5 vital leadership takeaways from the life of Chief Poundmaker

In the 21st century, leadership is typically framed in the position of power, strategy and authority and oftentimes considered interchangeable with management.

What if there was a different way to perceive and demonstrate our leadership in a way that empowers and supports others?

For Pitikwahanapiwiyin (Chief Poundmaker), leadership was about something more: it was about service, peace and an unwavering, relentless commitment to his people.

Throughout the late 1800s, Cree Chief Poundmaker used his unique leadership abilities to navigate political and cultural tensions while successfully advocating for the survival of his community. His legacy, while often misunderstood or unknown, has the potential to provide significant value in the leadership development of contemporary leaders globally.

Legacy of leadership, love, conciliation

Because Chief Poundmaker is a distant relative, my family often discusses him, but we lacked the intimate knowledge of his story and experiences. The pursuit of understanding my great-great-granduncle has led me to see that how we currently describe leadership is missing some important elements.

In my recent article, “Poundmaker — A Legacy of Leadership, Love and Conciliation,” I explore how considering the events of Poundmaker’s life can be used to understand how specific leadership traits give us new insights when seen against the current leadership paradigms. This is accomplished by using a two-eyed seeing (Etuaptmumk) approach, blending Indigenous and western leadership theory to make insights relevant to multiple audiences. The article is published in Indigenous Business and Public Administration.

In western society, leadership is typically viewed as either based on governance and process, or connection and collaborative relationships.

On the other hand, Indigenous leadership is a temporary “sphere of influence” that is based in our need-fulfilling roles within a community in order to ensure communal well-being.

Lesson 1: Embrace diverse perspectives

Before he was a chief, Poundmaker went through a process of adult adoption to become the son of Chief Crowfoot and a member of the Blackfoot Confederacy. This process of adult adoption was not uncommon, according to my community discussions, but typically happened within the same communities. Cree would adopt Cree, Blackfoot would adopt Blackfoot. In this case, the adoption of a Cree individual by a Blackfoot chief led to a historic moment politically and culturally.

This adoption set the stage for further unity between Cree and Blackfoot nations and an ability for Poundmaker to navigate multiple worldviews to make effective leadership decisions.

For a modern leader, embracing different perspectives is important. It builds team trust and fosters long-term success personally and organizationally. Effective leadership requires that an individual can step outside their comfort zone to engage with different perspectives, ensuring understanding and unity.

Lesson 2: Balance firm advocacy with strategic engagement

During the 1876 negotiation of Treaty 6 with the Crown, Poundmaker was a fierce defender of Indigenous land rights, famously stating “this is our land, not a piece of pemmican to be cut off and given in little pieces.” While he believed that his people should not have to give up any of their land, he also recognized that engagement with the Crown was necessary for the Cree’s long-term survival.

Today, leaders also face dilemmas calling for high-stakes decisions: Should we hold firm to our values or give in for a strategic reason?

Poundmaker’s example shows that strong leadership is not about all or nothing. Instead, it is about being deliberate in choosing when to push back and when it is time to engage.

Lesson 3: Prioritize peace and long-term consequences

During the Battle of Cut Knife in 1885, the attacking 325 Canadian troops fled after the unexpectedly strong defence presented by the Cree and Assiniboine camps.

As his troops were ready to chase down the retreating soldiers, Poundmaker made a choice that, while being profound, is very difficult. Instead of leading to more bloodshed, he told his warriors to stand down and prioritize peace over vengeance.

This moment of restraint is important for the modern leader. Often, our acts of retaliation or aggression lead to short-term gains but cause long-term losses.

Regardless of the industry or space, choosing de-escalation over conflict, while difficult, can prevent lasting damage and open doors for future reconciliation.

Lesson 4: Lead with compassion and community focus

Poundmaker’s leadership was rooted in service to his community and the overall well-being of his people. During the North-West Resistance, he sought food relief for the starving Cree communities instead of participating in a violent rebellion. This was further emphasized during his trial on felony treason charges for his actions at the Battle of Cut Knife, when he maintained: “Everything I could do was done to stop bloodshed.”

Modern leaders are often pressured to focus on financial or political gains instead of the benefit of their people. Poundmaker’s leadership is a reminder that sustainable success comes from putting our people first. Through a compassionate, community-centred approach, you can create loyalty, resilience and long-term success.

Lesson 5: Stand firm in principles for lasting impact

Poundmaker was wrongly convicted of felony treason and sentenced to three years in prison. He accepted this punishment knowing that his people were safe. Ultimately, the poor prison conditions contributed to his worsening health, in part leading to his death a few months later.

In 2019, the Canadian government formally exonerated Chief Poundmaker and recognized the injustices he faced.

While it took more than a century, his story proves that principled leadership outlasts momentary defeats.

Today, leaders can be inspired by this. When we choose to stand firm in our values, we may not see immediate victories. We may see struggles, but what’s important is doing what’s right. Regardless of whether this relates to social justice, ethical business practices or organizational change, leaders must be prepared to hold their ground when it matters most.

Chief Poundmaker’s leadership was rooted in love, reconciliation and an unwavering commitment to his people. His ability to unify nations, navigate high-stakes negotiations and prioritize peace over conflict offers timeless leadership lessons for the modern leader.

In our world, which is often divided by power struggles and short-term thinking, Poundmaker’s legacy should challenge us to lead differently — with humility, courage and a focus on the greater good.

The question we as leaders must ask ourselves is: what kind of leader do we want to be? Poundmaker’s example gives us a path forward.

Andrew J. Karesa does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.