Summary
The 1860s was a period of demographic change on the Canadian Plains, The selling of the HBC, the influx of European settlers, a growing issue of horse raiding, and the dwindling of the Bison herds created a synergy for hardship during the decade.
Implications
The demographic shift brought the people on the Plains into closer contact and fierce competition over limited resources. An outbreak of scarlet fever occurred in 1864-65, resulting in 1,1000 casualties for the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot). In turn the Niitsitapi blamed European settlers for the illness and retaliated with physical violence. The food shortage on the Plains and a growing issue of horse raiding brought the Niitsitapi into an increased number of conflicts with the Cree-Assiniboine alliance. The scarlet fever outbreak spread north into the Mackenzie district, killing another 800 people in the that region.
Date
1860-00-00
Theme(s)