Unfair Trade

Unfair Trade

The exhibit tells the story of Indigenous people in Southern Alberta and in particular the High River area. The main focus of the exhibit is from the mid-1860’s until 1877 (Treaty 7).

For thousands of years Indigenous people travelled through this area following the buffalo on their seasonal rounds.

“Stones and Bones” features artifacts discovered in this area, including stone tools, spear points and arrowheads. “Respect” offers a brief history of local archaeology and nearby sites including the Old Women’s Buffalo Jump near Cayley.

“The First People” tells the story of pre-contact and the importance of the buffalo to their survival. Artifacts include weapons, clothing and objects made from the buffalo and natural materials.

The remainder of the exhibit tells the story after contact.

In King Charles of England granted a royal charter to his cousin Prince Rupert and associates granting them exclusive trading rights to all territory traversed by rivers flowing into the Hudson’s Bay. This was the beginning of the fur trade and the Hudson’s Bay Company. These events, obviously unknown to the Indigenous people, let to the destruction of a way of life that had existed for thousands of years.

In the late 1860’s Free Traders sponsored by large American trading companies began to move north from the United States into what is now Southern Alberta. They built trading posts and forts in an area just west of (now) High River where the Blackfoot were known to camp. Dubious trading practices, including the supply of rotgut whiskey in exchange for buffalo robes caused strife and tensions were high. Eventually the forts were burned down. Lawlessness and violence by the traders escalated. Violence reached a tipping point in 1873 when a group of American traders sought revenge for a misunderstood horse stealing and killed 20 Assiniboine/Nakoda men, women and children in the Cypress Hills massacre.

Reports that had been sent to John A. MacDonald and the Canadian Government in Ottawa were largely ignored. It was not the concern for the original inhabitants of the land, or violence and lawlessness that caused the government to finally take action. There was a major issue regarding the loss of revenue and trade to the American Fur Companies and the free traders.

      In 1873, Royal assent was given to establish the North-West Mounted Police and troops were sent to the west to establish law and order.

In October 1875, after a long and arduous journey they finally arrived at Fort Whoop Up.

      In 1877 Treaty 7 was “signed” at Blackfoot Crossing.

The “Unfair Trade” exhibit ends with a copy of the text of Treaty 7.