Mistahi-Maskwa (Big Bear) was born around 1825 near Jackfish Lake, north of North Battleford, accroding to University of Saskatchewan. (Photo: Public Archives of Canada /C-1873)

By Alyssa Rudolph

town support

Battleford gives support for renaming of Highway 4 to honor Chief Big Bear

Nov 18, 2025 | 3:54 PM

The Town of Battleford has given its support for the renaming of a section on Highway 4.

The Ministry of Highways received a request to rename the 80-kilometer section to honor Chief Big Bear, who was also known as Mistahi-Maskwa.

Chief Big Bear was a Plains Cree Chief known for advocating for Indigenous rights in the late 19th century. Bear was most famous for refusing to sign Treaty 6 and his conviction after being deemed responsible for the Northwest Rebellion, despite evidence that he tried to prevent violence.

He was born around 1825 near Jackfish Lake, north of North Battleford, according to University of Saskatchewan.

If approved, the section that extends north from Cando to Cochin would receive dual designation and be known as Highway 4 Mistahi-Maskwa Trail.

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Mayor of Battleford Ames Leslie said the new name is fitting for the highway section.

“I think it is a nice honour for an individual who had a pretty big impact on our area and our province and our region,” said Leslie.

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner and the Ministry of Highways brough the initiative forward to the town, requesting their support.

“They had reached out some time ago with whether or not we would support this, and I invited them to send this letter to council and have discussions with our local Chiefs and Elders first and foremost and then bring it back to council,” Leslie said.

The section will still be known as Highway 4 to ensure addresses stay consistent for emergency responders, travelers and online navigation. Therefore, the public and business will not see any effect from the change.

“There are no businesses along that corridor, so there won’t be any changes to anybody’s address or mailing ability,” Leslie said.

Dual designation is not unusual in Saskatchewan and started in 2001 when Highway 11 was renamed the Louis Riel Trail. Since then, Highway 219 has been named Chief Whitecap Trail and Highway 201 as Chief Kahkewistahaw Way.

The Ministry of Highways has been seeking a response from communities along the route and has not yet released a date for the possible renaming.

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alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com