Summary
By the early 1870s the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) had experienced a decline in population due to a combination of conflicts with the American army, American whiskey traders, and the Cree-Assiniboine alliance. In 1872, Colonel Patrick Robertson-Ross of the Canadian militia, reported that of the 221 Niitsitapi deaths, 133 had been from disease and the remaining 88 were attributed to American whiskey traders.
Implications
The Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) experienced military difficulties during the early 1870s. The Canadian Plains became a lawless frontier because of the chaotic and unregulated whiskey trade coming out of America. In the winter of 1873-74 over forty Blackfoot were murdered, also in 1874 the Kainai chief, Calf Shirt, was murdered, and during the same period Assiniboines were massacred at Sweet Grass and Cypress Hills.
Date
1870-00-00
Theme(s)