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==Early life==
Ahtahkakoop (John Starblanket Chatelain) was born about 1816 in the [[Saskatchewan River]] country. Neither his maternal or paternal lineage is definitively known. Although sources indicate that Ahtahkakoop's father was named Antoine Chatelain, a man of French or Metis nationality, and his mother, a lady of Metis origin, was believed to be Okimawinotook. However, he does have four known brothers: Masuskapoe Chatelain, Sasakamoose Jacob Chatelain, Ahenakew David Chatelain, and Nāpēskis Chatelain.<ref name=":0" /> Ahtahkakoop's own descendants, and that of his brothers, are thought to be quite extensive although not completely compiled.
[[File:The last of the Canadian buffaloes Photo No 580 (HS85-10-13487).jpg|left|thumb|281x281px|Canadian buffaloes grazing.]]
Ahathkakoop was brought up with the traditional values and way of life of the Plains Cree peoples. Thus, Ahtahkakoop was raised in a hunter-gatherer society. Every summer his family, in addition to other band members, would travel from their camps to the prairie grassland. Here they would hunt buffalo, and gather roots, herbs, and berries.<ref name=":0" /> The buffalo were especially important to the survival of Ahtahkakoop's people. Buffalo not only provided food but also their hides, which were used for a variety of purposes; from tipi covers and clothing to storage bags and cooking vessels. During the winter his people would separate back into their family groups and move to the parklands. Throughout the winter, in addition to buffalo, his family would hunt elk, moose, and deer. Once the weather began to warm towards the end of winter, birds such as geese and ducks would return to these lands, which would also be hunted. During this time sap from maple and birch trees would be gathered and turned into syrup and sugar.<ref name=":0" />
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