Lawrence Vankoughnet asks Dewdney to reduce rations provided to First Nations Communities

Despite the tension between government officials and First Nations people in the West during 1884, Assistant Superintendent of Indian Affairs Lawrence Vankoughnet told North West Territories Lieutenant Governor Edgar Dewdney that rations needed to be reduced and given only to those who worked. Due to the tension that existed between government officials and First Nations peoples Dewdney defended the necessity of providing rations. Dewdney blamed the economic troubles and tension in the West on the "work for rations" program itself.