The 1885 Northwest Rebellion

For some strange reason the whites have strongly encouraged their historians to claim that a group of supposedly mix bloods were responsible for the 1885 Northwest Rebellion which occurred in Saskatchewan, Canada. However, when we look back to the historical events of those times, we must focus our attention on Treaty 6 between the Indians of central Saskatchewan and central Alberta, and the whites. Why? If you did research on Treaty 6 you will learn that the Anishinabek were not allowed to participate in that 1876 treaty or the Anishinabek refused to.

Why is that so important? The Anishinabek were living in central Saskatchewan, central Alberta, and northeastern British Columbia well before the whites settled those areas. Of course, that means that something is wrong with those historical records. What we need to find out is if the whites ignored the Anishinabek at the time Treaty 6 was being conducted, or if the Anishinabek ignored the whites. By 1885 problems were occurring (hordes of white settlers were pouring into that region of Saskatchewan and Alberta as a result of newly built railroads), and it would escalate into war not long into 1885. Since the Alberta and Saskatchewan Cree (they are really Anishinabe) did participate in Treaty 6 in 1876, that means that some Anishinabe leaders obeyed the treaty.

In 1885, there was probably a significant Anishinabe population living in central Saskatchewan and central Alberta, and it was probably them who fought the Northwest Rebellion of 1885, with a few of their Niitsitapi and Nakota allies. As for the so called mix bloods (they were really white French Canadians), they likely sided with the white English, but a few possibly sided with their Indian brethren. What the Anishinabe and their allies faced, was a foe who had the fineness modern day weapons of war, including machine guns. That, however, did not stop the Anishinabek and their allies from fighting for their land. The casualties of this short war were minimal, and in fact, less than 200 for the Anishinabe, Blackfoot, Nakota and French, and their white English enemy.

We probably know why there is only one recognized Anishinabe Reserve in Alberta at the present time, while in southern Saskatchewan west of Regina, there are no Anishinabe Reserves. What happened to the Anishinabek who lived in southern Saskatchewan and central Alberta? In both locations they either became landless and eventually settled down in white cities and towns, or they settled further to the north where the present day Cree (they are really Anishinabe) Alberta and Saskatchewan First Nations are located.