Born in 1816, Chief Ahtahkakoop, meaning Starblanket in Cree, rose to be a respected and tactical leader of the Cree Nation in the latter part of the 19th century. At the onset of his leadership, the plains buffalo herds were more than abundant, providing the mainstay of social and economical balance so vital to the survival of its people. The arrival of the European settlers would irrevocably alter this delicate balance, forcing Chief Ahtahkakoop to seek alternate means of survival for his own. more... See more text