Tepastenam[1] (baptized as Donald William Sinclair Ross; c. 1805 – c. 1875)[2] was a respected leader (Cree: kisayman) of the Pimicikamak indigenous people in the 19th century. From oral history accounts he may have been a Midewiwin leader/kisayman. The record of his baptism in 1875 describes him as "A noted conjurer for many years, who long resisted the teachings of Christianity."[3]
Tepastenam's family had its wintering grounds at "John Scott's Lake".[4] This has been identified as Setting Lake on the Grass River.[5] He and his family members traded at Nelson House[6] until 1843, and later he began trading at Norway House.[7] Beginning in 1861, some of his children and grandchildren were baptized at Rossville.[8]
In 1875, Tepastenam was baptized as Donald William Sinclair Ross, reportedly named after two Hudson's Bay Company Chief Factors: Donald Ross and William Sinclair.[9] He was listed in the 1881 register of the Cross Lake Methodist congregation as "chief" and his wife May was listed as "chiefess".[10] Ross first appears on the government of Canada pay list as "chief" in 1876. However, he "was a leader both before and after [Pimicikamak] entered treaty."[11]
Tepastenam was notable as the lead signatory to Treaty 5 on behalf of the Pimicikamak people on September 24, 1875 in Norway House.[12] Neither of the other two signatories[13] matched his stature as a leader of the Pimicikamak people.[14] His mark (an X) granted Treaty rights to the Crown in an area of the Northwest Territories that was twice the size of the Province of Manitoba at the time.