Mike Mountain Horse (Miistatisomitai; 1888 – 1964) was an Indigenous Canadian soldier.[1]
Mountain Horse attended residential school on the Kainai Nation reserve.[1] After the death of his brother Albert Mountain Horse in the First World War, he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force and was sent overseas.[2][1] He fought at the Battles of Vimy Ridge, Hill 70, and Cambrai (bayonetted there) in 1917, and at the Battle of Amiens in 1918.[1][3] He received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his service.[1]
After returning to Canada in 1919, Mountain Horse joined the North-West Mounted Police, as either a scout[1] or an interpreter.[3] He subsequently worked as a labourer for the Canadian Pacific Railway and as a reported for the Lethbridge Herald, and was elected to the Blood Tribal Council.[3]
Mountain Horse created a buffalo-hide war robe recording the history of Indigenous peoples in the First World War. He also wrote a book, My People the Bloods, which was published posthumously in 1979. Actor Eugene Brave Rock read this book to prepare for the role of Chief in Wonder Woman.[1]
He is the namesake of Mike Mountain Horse Elementary School in Lethbridge, Alberta.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g "Mike Mountain Horse". Military History Library. Valour Canada. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
- ^ James Dempsey. "Mountain Horse, Albert". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Mike Mountain Horse". Community Stories. Virtual Museum of Canada. Retrieved 3 July 2022.