John Tootoosis

John Baptiste Tootoosis (July 18, 1899 – February 1, 1989) was a prominent Cree First Nations leader in Canada. He is the grandson of Yellow Mud Blanket, the brother of legendary Cree leader Poundmaker, also known as Pitikwahanapiwiyin.

Early life and family Tootoosis was born on the Poundmaker Reserve in Saskatchewan to Mary Theresa and John Tootoosis. He grew up in a close-knit family, but at the age of 13 was sent away to attend the Thunderchild Residential School, also known as the Delmas Residential School, a Roman Catholic residential school located near North Battleford, Saskatchewan. He returned to the reserve at the age of 17 where his father began to get him involved in the community's political life. They had ten sons and three daughters and many of their children and grandchildren were involved in cultural and artistic practice.

Career Tootoosis was appointed chief of his band by his community in 1920. His leadership was not recognized by the Canadian government's then Department of Indian Affairs, the branch of government responsible for reserves as the Indian Act dictated that a chief had to be 25 and another chief was chosen. Despite this Tootoosis continued to assert a leadership position. he became a Member of the Order of Canada in 1986.

Tootoosis died on February 2, 1989.