Crowfoot and

Treaty Number 7

Examplar

The year is 1877.

In the United States, there is unrest between the North American Plains Natives and the newly arriving white settlers. Using force and breaking agreements, the white were forcing the Natives to surrender more-and-more land. Under Chief Sitting Bull, many First Nations fought back in many battles called the “Blackfeet War”.

The strife threatened to move into Canada.

The Blackfoot Confederacy was made of many First Nations including tribes of Bloods, Blackfoot, Piegans, Gros Ventres and Sacrees.

Sitting Bull was a Sioux chief and an enemy of the Confederacy. He sought help to fight the “Long Knives” and white invaders.

A strong Blackfoot chief was Crowfoot. He foresaw a future with more and more white settlers. Crowfoot decided to seek peace. He said, “No. I cannot help Sitting Bull.”

Crowfoot’s tribe had settled in parts of southern Saskatchewan and Alberta.

In total, there was about 4,500 Blackfoot members. Crowfoot was a chief of a tribe with about 850 members.

When Crowfoot was a child, a smallpox epidemic killed nearly 2/3 of the Blackfoot nation. The disease was introduced by sick whites traveling west. The unintentional epidemic weakened the Blackfoot nation.

Crowfoot survived, but the epidemic let him “see” the future.

Crowfoot wanted to live peacefully with the new white settlers.

Why did Crowfoot seek peace?1.Crowfoot knew more whites would follow the first settlers2.Crowfoot trusted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The RCMP had chased away many US traders who used alcohol to trick Native peoples.3.Crowfoot wanted a treaty that would respect and protect his people. For example, there were fewer buffalo. Crowfoot knew his people would starve if they did not share the resources4.Sitting Bull and his Sioux followers had fled after fighting the USA Calvary. Crowfoot knew strength came from united forces. Crowfoot needed allies to offset the advancing whites.

In September 1877, two representatives of the Canadian Government met with many of the chiefs of the Blackfoot Confederacy at the Blackfoot Crossing on the Bow River.

To some chiefs, the crossing site was not neutral territory…it was on Crowfoot’s territory. Moreover, Crowfoot was only one chief among many Blackfoot chiefs; yet, Crowfoot was treated as the only chief. This preferential treatment was resented.

A wise chief, Crowfoot tried to delay the meeting. He told the Canadian representatives that he was waiting for other chiefs to arrive. Crowfoot knew he needed to respect his fellow chiefs.

Nonetheless, the representatives called a meeting on September 19, 1877.

The representatives wanted to Confederacy to give control of over 130,000 km2 of land to the Government. First Nations could continue to hunt on the land as long as they did not molest white settlers. As well, each tribe would be granted a reserve (2 km2 for each five persons). The Government would also provide (1) schools, health care and other services, (2) annual cash payments ($25 for a chief, $15 for a minor chief and $5 for each man, woman and child), (3) $2,000 per year for ammunition, (4) a suit of clothes every three years for each chief and (5) cattle to start farms.

Under Crowfoot, the Blackfoot delayed their response. Crowfoot wanted to protect the best hunting grounds from the encroachment of white settlers and neighbouring First Nations. The treaty did not stop this; rather, it legalized the move.

After conferring with his fellow leaders, Crowfoot agreed to the treaty. Following his lead, many other chiefs agreed.

Land for reserves was allocated to each tribe. Together, the Blackfoot, Blood and Sarcee selected a large area of land running beside the Bow River.

Treaty Number Seven was signed.

To white Canadians, Crowfoot was a “great leader who was working for peace and unity.” To his Blackfoot allies, Crowfoot was seen as a wise chief. Yet within six months, Crowfoot regretted his role in negotiating Treaty Number Seven.

Within years, there were fewer buffalo. The Blackfoot began to starve. Winters were harsh and prevented the buffalo from moving across the Prairies. As well, buffalo hunters in the United States were starting fires to block buffalo from migrating into Canada.

The Blood First Nation left the Blackfoot reserve and resettled further south near the Belly River. As Crowfoot feared, the Blood relocation weakened the political power of the united Confederacy …something the Government of Canada also understood.

The Government did not honour the part of Treaty Number Seven ensuring aid.

The Blackfoot became poor and hungry.

Crowfoot moved his tribe into the USA to look for buffalo. There, USA whiskey traders openly provided alcohol for buffalo robes. His people quickly sank into despair.

After years of persecution and helplessness, Crowfoot led his people back to Canada. Many people died on route…from starvation, measles and scarlet fever.

Crowfoot sought rations and support for his bewildered people. However, the Indian Agents did not respect the Blackfoot. The Agents abused their power. Fortunately, RCMP officials replaced the Agents and restored order…although Crowfoot no longer trusted the RCMP to serve as impartial administrators.

Crowfoot was a man of peace and a shrewd leader. He never sought personal glory; rather, Crowfoot wanted prosperity for his people. Facing failing health, Crowfoot led his people and urged them to remain on good terms with their neighbours.

Crowfoot died on 25 April 1890 from complications of tuberculosis. In his lifetime, he was a great statesperson and protector.