A gifted orator, peacemaker and diplomat, Poundmaker was born near Battleford, Saskatchewan, to a Stoney shaman father and a Métis mother. He was named for his skill at making pounds, or pens to trap buffalo. When Poundmaker was approximately 30 years old, Crowfoot, Chief of the Blackfoot, adopted him to replace one of his own sons who was killed in battle.

In 1876 Poundmaker made the Canadian government add a "famine clause" to Treaty Number 6. Despite the government's agreement, Poundmaker was deeply suspicious of its intention. He finally signed the treaty at the insistence of his followers. Poundmaker settled with his people on a reserve near his birthplace. When the government failed to supply his band with food and farming tools, Poundmaker became active in First Nation's political dealings with the government.

In 1885 Poundmaker's people grew restless. The band put up their symbolic war lodge. This signaled a change of power from Poundmaker to Fine Day, the band's war chief. Under Fine Day, the band fended off a surprise attack by the Canadian army at Cut Knife Hill. After, Fine Day wanted to join the Métis in their resistance against the government. He tried to lead the band to the Métis group at Batoche, but Poundmaker stopped their movement forward. He delayed the band's travel until the Métis had been defeated.

Poundmaker then surrendered to Canadian authorities. Accused of treason-felony, he was tried in Regina, Saskatchewan. After two days, the court found Poundmaker guilty. The judge sentenced him to three years' detention in Manitoba's Stoney Mountain Penitentiary. He was released after less than a year because of ill health.

Poundmaker had three wives and fathered several children. His second wife, Grass Woman, had left him for another man while he was in prison. Upon his release, Poundmaker married Stony Woman, a woman considerably younger than himself. Poundmaker and Stony Woman traveled 250 miles to visit Crowfoot, his adoptive father and friend. They walked most of the way because they only had one horse between them. Poundmaker died shortly after, just four months from the time of his release.

Today, Poundmaker's descendants are pursuing their land rights. The Poundmaker First Nation recently negotiated an agreement with the federal government, which entitles it to 20,000 hectares (49,400 acres) of land under Treaty Number 6. In 1998, The band got the first parcel of 5,600 hectares (13,832 acres) near Redford, Saskatchewan.