Eleven Indians were tried for murder. Eight of them, including Wandering Spirit were hung. Chiefs Poundmaker, One Arrow, and Big Bear were all put on trial for Treason/Felony. The jury returned a guilty verdict. The judge then said he had to make an example of One Arrow (Kapeyakwaskonam) for his part in the Frog Lake uprising. The Judge stated the example needed to be set to "make the other Indians of the country know what would become of them if they follow your bad example." He then sentenced One Arrow to three years in prison.

At Poundmaker's trial, the key evidence was a letter which called for war and was sent to Louis Riel. Poundmaker had been there when the letter was written and it appeared that he had allowed his name to be signed on it along with a number of others. This was the main reason why Poundmaker was convicted. When Poundmaker was sentenced to three years in penitentiary, he stated, "I would rather prefer to be hung than to be in that place." At Big Bear's trial, there were a number of witnesses who had been prisoners of Big Bear's band. All of their evidence was going to be supportive of Big Bear, but the lawyer failed to call them to be heard.

Although Big Bear always spoke out for peace and reconciliation, he had been present when the killing happened. He did not have control over his braves when the warrior lodge took over, but the White jury would not believe he was innocent. The jury was confused over how to apply the law, but still, it only took them fifteen minutes to find Big Bear guilty.

Father Andre wrote a letter to the Archbishop which criticized the Regina juries. It stated, "The jurymen are all Protestants, enemies of the Metis and the Indians, against whom they maintain bitter prejudices." All three chiefs had been sentenced to three years in prison and sent to Stony Mountain Penitentiary in Manitoba..

On Friday, November 7th, 1885, eight Anishinabe men were hung in Battleford, Saskatchewan for their involvement in the North West Resistance. J.H. Scully of Battleford built the gallows on the west corner of the barracks square. Deputy-Sheriff A.P. Forget, accompanied by Father Bigonesse and Cochin and executioner Robert Hodson, accompanied the prisoners.

At 8 a.m., the prisoners, hands bound behind their backs, each accompanied by four Mounted Police, were led to the scaffold. "Itka", one of the eight men, began to sing, first his strong heart then his death song to show his defiance. "Miserable Man" was the first to walk up the scaffold steps, then "Manichoose", "Round Sky", "Wandering Spirit", "Napaise", "Apischiskoos" and "Itka" followed. "Wawahanich" was the last of the condemned to ascend. The hangman tied their ankles together. Each of the prisoners was given time to speak if they chose. "Itka" shouted to the Indian witnesses to never forget how the White man treated them. He then continued his death chant. All eight men were buried in a ravine as a common grave, not far from the Battleford barracks. In 1954, officials decided to put a concrete slab on the surface of the site.

The Anishinabe people paid a high price for their involvement in the North West Resistance. It is important we remember that it was First Nations as well as the Metis fighting to protect the rights of Aboriginal peoples of the North West.

Poundmaker was released after six months in jail as he had taken sick. Poundmaker was the most popular of the Indian Chiefs and officials worried there would be a huge backlash if he died in prison. He returned to his reserve, but insisted on travelling to see his adopted father, Crowfoot. During at speech to all the Blackfoot people, his lung hemorrhaged and he died. He was 44 years old.

One Arrow, after seven months in jail, was released and soon died.

Big Bear was ignored by everyone, so he remained in jail. Big Bear had refused to cooperate and be moved to a reserve during the uprisings and this was held against him when he applied for parole. In January 1886, he became ill and wanting no backlash again, he was released. No transport was provided to him and it took him a month to return to the Little Pine Reserve where he lived with his daughter, Earth Woman. Big Bear lost a lot: he was no longer a chief, did not have a reserve, and his band and family was now scattered across the Northwest and Montana. He had to spend his last few months on Poundmaker's reserve where he died in his sleep in January of 1888, at the age of 62.

So many Indian people's lives were impacted during this period of time. Removing their chiefs placed many of the nations in a position of dealing with Canada without leaders. No one to lobby for their rights, speak for them and to assist them in finding food. A very sorry time in Canada's history.

Go on to Louis Riel and the Metis on trial.