We realize the sequence of blogs doesn't follow chronologically ... but sometimes, it takes a while to process the information. This may happen in future blogs, just so you know ... Onwards!
Saskatchewan kept surprising us with its rich and interesting history and art. Our overnight stop in North Battleford was rewarded the next morning with a visit to the Allen Sapp Gallery.
Allen Sapp is a remarkably skilled painter who brings alive scenes from his childhood growing up on the Red Pheasant reserve. He gives us an excellent glimpse of life as a descendent of Cree Chief Poundmaker. Though focused on his work, the gallery also features other First Nations and aboriginal art work.
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| Steve, our engaging guide to the Allen Sapp Gallery |
As we were trying to leave Battleford, we got lost and ended up at the Fort Battleford National Historic Site. The National Parks pass we purchased in Jasper allows us to visit any and all National Parks, National Historic Monuments, etc. without paying additional fees, so we decided just to stop in to see what it was about. We ended up touring the site in detail.
Thus began our education about the 1885 Uprising in Alberta and Saskatchewan, raising lots of questions which we explored further at Batoche. The North West Mounted Police (NWMP - the predecessors of the RCMP) and Canadian Militia's victory in this series of struggles had major repercussions for the development of Western Canada, particularly for the First Nations and Metis.
Warning - history observations coming up ... since we learned a lot, we thought we'd share a little. Feel free just to look at the pictures if you prefer! We appreciated that the information seemed to be fairly balanced, showing the perspectives of the various groups, and not just the federal government. So here's a very simplified take of what we think was what was going on ...
In response to European settlers' desires for using bison for coats, horns, coat racks, chairs, etc., the First Nations people and Metis took up the bison hunt in earnest. It was relatively easy for them and the money was good.
They joined with the settlers, Metis, and others in virtually decimating the bison population from around 65 million to only a couple of thousand at best. It's truly difficult to imagine such devastation. You get a sense of it looking at photos of bison skulls piled high. Brings to mind the picture today with fossil fuels ... we have enough to last forever, don't we ... ? ...
[By the way, the correct term is "bison", not "buffalo". We learned at Elk Island National Park that the term "buffalo" is applied correctly only to the animals in Asia and Africa - the water buffalo and the cape buffalo respectively. Our plains and wood bison are different species altogether. A bit like The Europeans mistaking Native North Americans for Indians ... and again, the incorrect term has stuck with us.]
As the bison disappeared, the First Nations and Metis lost what had become a huge part of their income. Interesting to see the consequences of a consumer based economy at work even way back then ... Some of the leaders, such as Poundmaker, realized they would have to transition from hunting to a more agriculturally based economy. Knowing the settlers had better knowledge of agriculture, many of the First Nations agreed to Treaty Six, which made many promises, including provision of food rations, medical supplies, agricultural tools and support and so on. Within a few years, the federal government started cutting back on what had been promised supposedly in perpetuity.
[Has much changed since then? ...]
The First Nations people were frustrated and confused -- there was food available, but the government wouldn't provide it, even though it was clear people were hungry, even starving -- they were used to sharing in times of need.
Meanwhile, the Metis were unhappy because the federal government had sent surveyors to stake out the land in sections (640 acre chunks), rather than the traditional long, narrow river lots they had established. River lots gave everyone access to the critical resource of the river, unlike the artificial system imposed by the feds.
Unrest began in several locations. Though it was not organized at first, it seemed more sinister to the settlers and NWMP. They appealed to the federal government, who sent out forces from the East to deal with the situation.
[Does the FLQ "crisis" of 1970 ring any bells? A few disorganized and disgruntled folks raising fear and overwhelming response in reaction ...]
The NWMP, mostly from Upper or Lower Canada originally (modern-day Quebec or Ontario), were trying to do what they could, not really understanding the First Nations people, or the varied European settlers. As people often do when they feel threatened, the settlers and NWMP banded together against a perceived common enemy, and gathered in Fort Battleford.
One of the militia, Captain James Otter, was eager to show their power. Contrary to orders, he went to pursue the Aboriginals at Cut Knife. Though outnumbered, the Cree attacked from the hills and made it look like their numbers were far greater ... Otter and his men retreated. Interestingly, many of the First Nations warriors wanted to pursue and even kill the retreating militia, but Poundmaker said no -- they came to fight us, and we have won -- now, let them retreat in peace.
Other battles took place elsewhere, and about two weeks later, the militia and NWMP fought and defeated the Metis forces at Batoche, northwest of Saskatoon.
The Metis were led by local leader Gabriel Dumont and Manitoba leader Louis Riel, whom they had called upon to help fight the federal government on the issue of the river lots, as he had done successfully in Manitoba in 1870. This time, he was unsuccessful, and paid with his head. After a controversial trial which raised emotions across the country, Riel was hanged.
Meanwhile, Chiefs Poundmaker (who you will recall had told his men to let the militia retreat after defeating them) and Big Bear surrendered soon after they learned of Riel's capture, and were jailed for their troubles. Both died of ill health before their three year terms had been served -- frankly, the prisons were nasty places.
It was fascinating to reflect while learning these things ... Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose ... There is much to learn from the past -- those who don't learn the lessons of their history do indeed seem to be doomed to repeat it.
Thus began our education about the 1885 Uprising in Alberta and Saskatchewan, raising lots of questions which we explored further at Batoche. The North West Mounted Police (NWMP - the predecessors of the RCMP) and Canadian Militia's victory in this series of struggles had major repercussions for the development of Western Canada, particularly for the First Nations and Metis.
Warning - history observations coming up ... since we learned a lot, we thought we'd share a little. Feel free just to look at the pictures if you prefer! We appreciated that the information seemed to be fairly balanced, showing the perspectives of the various groups, and not just the federal government. So here's a very simplified take of what we think was what was going on ...
In response to European settlers' desires for using bison for coats, horns, coat racks, chairs, etc., the First Nations people and Metis took up the bison hunt in earnest. It was relatively easy for them and the money was good.
They joined with the settlers, Metis, and others in virtually decimating the bison population from around 65 million to only a couple of thousand at best. It's truly difficult to imagine such devastation. You get a sense of it looking at photos of bison skulls piled high. Brings to mind the picture today with fossil fuels ... we have enough to last forever, don't we ... ? ...
[By the way, the correct term is "bison", not "buffalo". We learned at Elk Island National Park that the term "buffalo" is applied correctly only to the animals in Asia and Africa - the water buffalo and the cape buffalo respectively. Our plains and wood bison are different species altogether. A bit like The Europeans mistaking Native North Americans for Indians ... and again, the incorrect term has stuck with us.]
As the bison disappeared, the First Nations and Metis lost what had become a huge part of their income. Interesting to see the consequences of a consumer based economy at work even way back then ... Some of the leaders, such as Poundmaker, realized they would have to transition from hunting to a more agriculturally based economy. Knowing the settlers had better knowledge of agriculture, many of the First Nations agreed to Treaty Six, which made many promises, including provision of food rations, medical supplies, agricultural tools and support and so on. Within a few years, the federal government started cutting back on what had been promised supposedly in perpetuity. [Has much changed since then? ...]
The First Nations people were frustrated and confused -- there was food available, but the government wouldn't provide it, even though it was clear people were hungry, even starving -- they were used to sharing in times of need.
Meanwhile, the Metis were unhappy because the federal government had sent surveyors to stake out the land in sections (640 acre chunks), rather than the traditional long, narrow river lots they had established. River lots gave everyone access to the critical resource of the river, unlike the artificial system imposed by the feds.
Unrest began in several locations. Though it was not organized at first, it seemed more sinister to the settlers and NWMP. They appealed to the federal government, who sent out forces from the East to deal with the situation. [Does the FLQ "crisis" of 1970 ring any bells? A few disorganized and disgruntled folks raising fear and overwhelming response in reaction ...]
The NWMP, mostly from Upper or Lower Canada originally (modern-day Quebec or Ontario), were trying to do what they could, not really understanding the First Nations people, or the varied European settlers. As people often do when they feel threatened, the settlers and NWMP banded together against a perceived common enemy, and gathered in Fort Battleford.
One of the militia, Captain James Otter, was eager to show their power. Contrary to orders, he went to pursue the Aboriginals at Cut Knife. Though outnumbered, the Cree attacked from the hills and made it look like their numbers were far greater ... Otter and his men retreated. Interestingly, many of the First Nations warriors wanted to pursue and even kill the retreating militia, but Poundmaker said no -- they came to fight us, and we have won -- now, let them retreat in peace.
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| Symbol of the Metis Nation, at Batoche National Historic Site |
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| At Batoche cemetery |
Meanwhile, Chiefs Poundmaker (who you will recall had told his men to let the militia retreat after defeating them) and Big Bear surrendered soon after they learned of Riel's capture, and were jailed for their troubles. Both died of ill health before their three year terms had been served -- frankly, the prisons were nasty places.
It was fascinating to reflect while learning these things ... Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose ... There is much to learn from the past -- those who don't learn the lessons of their history do indeed seem to be doomed to repeat it.
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| Batoche - Note that this is the cemetery for the whole settlement - about a dozen or so warriors were killed during the actual battle |
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