Angered by what seemed to be unfair treaties by the Canadian government and the dwindling buffalo population, the main source of food for the indigenous people, chief Big Bear had been organizing the Cree for resistance. They were encouraged by the Métis victory at the Battle of Duck Lake.[citation needed] Anger among the Cree in the area was directed largely to the Indian Agent, Thomas Quinn, who treated the Cree with harshness and arrogance.