In the 1880s native Indian unrest in Canada’s west swelled as the subjugation imposed by the Federal Government in Ottawa continued to cause extreme hardship amongst the Cree in western Saskatchewan and eastern Alberta. The dissention reached a boiling point on April 2, 1885 in the small community of Frog Lake when warriors of Chief Big Bear’s Band erupted in a killing spree which resulted in 9 white males of the community being murdered. The Federal Government in Ottawa was already in a state of shock over the Metis from the Batoche area of Saskatchewan, led by Louis Riel. Riel’s rebel force had soundly defeated a column of North West Mounted Police and Prince Albert Militia volunteers near Duck Lake a week earlier. Prime Minister, Sir John A. McDonald hastily assembled a militia in the ensuing days, sending them west with the intent of suppressing this uprising quickly and decisively. To accomplish this task a three pronged attack was planned; General Frederick Middleton in overall command, would confront the Metis at Batoche, Col. William Otter would simultaneously march his force to support Fort Battleford, and a retired general, Thomas B. Strange would command a force at Calgary to march for Edmonton and then eastward to confront the Cree. They would thus trap all of the “rebels” in one gigantic pocket after which the three forces would converge, achieving the ultimate capitulation of all rebel forces.

General T. B. (Jingo) Strange formed his militia, “The Alberta Field Force”, from the Winnipeg Light Infantry and 65th Mount Royal Rifles, sent from eastern Canada, along with a “cowboy cavalry” under Major George Hatton. Strange also needed a scouting force and for this he relied on the most capable individual he could have chosen; the renown, North West Mounted Police Superintendent, Samuel Benfield Steele. Steele’s Scouts were to act as the vanguard for his militia, and to that end they served with aggressive distinction throughout the campaign.

Sam Steele enlisted local cowboys to augment members from the local Mounted Police garrison to make up his scouts. He signed up 25 policemen and 42 cowboys, offering between $2.00 and $2.50 pay per day, depending on rank. (researched numbers and identified individuals listed do not reconcile) During the ensuing march to the north-east he would encounter other valued individuals who spoke Cree; his two brothers, Richard and Godfrey and the redoubtable “fighting Preacher”, George McKay (pronounced McEye).

Text By Wayne Brown

For Further Information On This Subjet, Consult:

The Riders of Alberta's Proud Past

 by Douglass A. McRae, Founding and First Commanding Officer

Printed and Published by Valley Publishing, Summerland, B.C