This meant that Maskepetoon would have had to take up the role of a soldier, being put in positions of guarding the camp and scouting for any potential threats.
[6] Dempsey has also noted that Maskepetoon eventually chose peace over war following a visit to a holy man.
However, the talks with his father began to bother him, so he visited a holy man who laid out two paths for Maskepetoon, war or peace.
[8] Born during a time of fluctuating war and peace for his tribe, the year before his birth there was a breakdown in Cree-Blackfoot relations.
Two examples show how the young Cree members gained skills in combat and improved their proficiency with bows and arrows.
It is said by Hugh Dempsey that the Rocky Mountain band of Cree were "generally peaceful" he does however continue by saying "they took up arms to defend their camps or respond to an insult, and their young people were not averse to raiding an enemy in order to gain the prestige that came with being a warrior.
Hugh Dempsey says, "As he grew up, Maskepetoon learned to walk silently in the woods..." and continues by adding, "He could sense a change in the weather, particularly in winter.
"[14] Dempsey also notes that there are few testimonies written regarding Maskepetoon's fighting ability, however, some were kept in oral history.
A Missionary who knew Maskepetoon, George McDougall, tells a story of the Cree Chief's combat skills by saying, "Once attacked by three Blackfeet...he rushed upon them with his knife and despatched the whole.
"[15] It of course remains to be questioned whether or not this is fact or fiction but if true, it proves the immense skill that Maskepetoon held as a warrior.
[18] Due to the relocation that the Blackfoot exercised, this gave more freedom to the Rocky Mountain Cree in the way of exploration of the plains.
[19] Hugh Dempsey says of Maskepetoon, "He welcomed visitors to his lodge, honoured them and presented them with gifts on their departure.
In 1845, he almost killed Baptiste Brenow while they were drinking at Whitemud Creek, and a year later he slapped a man while the Indians were trading at Fort Edmonton.
"In 1857 he was engaged by John Palliser’s expedition to act as guide from the Qu’Appelle lakes (near Fort Qu’Appelle) to the elbow of the South Saskatchewan River (near Elbow); from the expedition’s members he acquired the name Nichiwa, the Cree term for “friend.”"[21] Following a series of altercations between the Cree and Siksika, which had resulted in deaths for each, it was widely reported that the Siksika were seeking peace.
[23] In showing this peace gesture, the Cree believed that this was a sincere act and upon being asked to disarm, they followed the proposal and laid down their weapons.
"[23] Dempsey continues this by saying that in a matter of just a few minutes, all of the Cree peace-making party were dead, including Maskepetoon.
Many of our people from White Fish Lake, Woodville and Victoria, have already started for the appointed place; but he who would have sat as Chief in our Council is gone.
[25] In addition to this, Thomas Woolsey – a former mentor of Maskepetoon – was given the news of his fate he also expressed a deep sense of loss.
I can assure you that the mournful intelligence we have received regarding my old friend, the Cree Chief (Maskepetoon) and his family, has been persued with feeling of unutterable grief.
They believed they had faced one of the greatest losses possible and these kind words express not only the sadness of his passing but also the respect which Maskepetoon commanded.