Summary
The flooding of the Saskatchewan River and surrounding lakes during the winter and spring of 1879 and 1800, along with a severe frost in August and an early onset of winter caused the failure of fisheries and crops. The collapse of the fisheries and crops in the region left people living there desperate for food, necessitating greater rations from the Indian Agent and the Hudson's Bay Company.
Implications
In the report (listed under relevant resources), the Department of Indian Affairs indicates "The Government will nevertheless be still obliged to contribute largely towards their support, owing to the partial failure of the crops of last season, and the scarcity of game in the country." Whether support or rations were offered isn't indicated, despite the government's promise under treaty to provide rations history shows that many times they were limited or withheld from Indigenous peoples.
Date
1879-10-00