Home
1. Introduction
2. The Distant Past
3. First Nations
4. The Fur Trade
5.
European Settlement
6.
Notable People
7. Railway Era
8. Resources
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The First Nations
As we have seen, the Sourisford area has been home to many cultures,
and sits on trading routes that connected those cultures to others far
distant from here. At the time of European contact, and throughout the
Fur Trade era, several groups would use this particular area. It was
often visited by Cree and Ojibway hunters in the centuries leading up
to European settlement, but it was the Nakota, whom the traders called
the Assinboine, that LaVerendrye encountered on his trips in 1837 and
afterwards.
The Assiniboine (Nakota)
The Assiniboine, once members of the Yanktonai arm of the Dakota
Nation, were once a Nation 10000 strong that occupied a territory that
spanned the Prairie Provinces and parts of the northern United States.
Over at least two centuries they hunted bison on the Souris Plains, and
in later years actively participated in the fur trade on the Souris
River.
The name, likely of Cree or Ojibway origin, means “Stoney Sioux.” They
call themselves the Nakota Oyadebi, which is also the name of their
language.
Assiniboine Indian Camp, Lac de Marons, Manitoba, July 17, 1874 July
17, 1874
(Archives of Manitoba Photo)
The decline of the herds, competition from other groups, and the
devastation wrought by diseases like smallpox, decimated their
population and they moved westwards where their descendants now
live.
Manitoba has no Assiniboine reserves, only individual members living
off-reserve.
The region in 1825
The
region in 1859
The Dakota
There are five Dakota bands in Manitoba today. While many of their
ancestors are descended from groups who came to Canada after an
unsuccessful uprising in 1862, and after the Battle of Little Bighorn
in 1876, Dakota people have been here for centuries.
Records kept by the Hudson’s Bay Company indicate that the Dakota were
active in Canada as far north as Churchill River in northern
Saskatchewan.
A group of Cree living in this area called their village
Kimosopuatinak, meaning “Home of the Ancient Dakota,” which confirms a
strong Dakota presence here.
A
group of Dakota near Turtle Mountain
(Archives of Manitoba Photo)
Sourisford is in territory covered by Treat #2.
The Yellow Quill Trail
The Yellow Quill Trail began as a trade route used by First Nations. As
European influence in southwestern Manitoba grew, explorers, fur
traders and bison hunters from the Red River Settlement found the trail
a convenient avenue of travel as well.
The Yellow Quill Trail takes its name from Chief Yellow Quill who was
the leader of a band of Saulteaux living near Portage La Prairie during
the late 1800s. He is known for signing a treaty for land allotment
with the Canadian Government in 1875 and for being Chief over two
Indian Reservations: Swan Lake No. 7, and Long Plains No. 6.
There are mixed accounts as to the character of Chief Yellow Quill.
Some say that he was an arrogant leader who was uncooperative and not
always diplomatic. Others report that he was a highly respected citizen
of the prairies and a prominent figure in the early days of the Portage
La Prairie area.
Two
Dakota make their way along the Yellow Quill Trail. CREDIT: Town of
Hartney Archival Collection
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