History of Saskatchewan

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Map of Canada showing Rupert's Land boundaries of 1670.

Map of Canada showing boundaries of the North West Territories which was divided into provisional districts 1870.

The Provisional Districts of Alberta, Assiniboia, Athabasca, and Saskatchewan were districts of the Northwest Territories created in 1882. They were named provisional districts to distinguish them from the District of Keewatin which had a more autonomous relationship from the NWT administration.

Due to the vastness of the Northwest Territories, it was divided into more administrative districts. 1895 saw the formation of the District of Franklin, District of Keewatin, District of Ungava and the District of Mackenzie which were all part of the NWT. By this date, the Provisional District of Athabasca had extended as far west as the first meridian.^[1][2]

Map of Canada showing provincial boundaries set out September 1, 1905

History of Saskatchewan encompasses the study of past human events and activities of the province of Saskatchewan, the middle of Canada's three prairie provinces. Archaeological studies give some clues as to the history and lifestyles of the Palaeo-Indian, Taltheilei, and Shield Archaic Traditions who were the first occupants of the prehistoric era of this geographical area. They evolved into the history of the first nations people who kept their history alive in oral tradition. The first nations tribes that were a part of this area were the Chipewyan, Cree, Saulteaux, Assiniboine, Atsina and Sioux.^[3] Henry Kelsey (1667-1724), was not native to this area, and arrived 1690.^[4] Other European explorers also soon arrived followed by fur traders such as The Governor and Company of Adventurers of England trading into Hudson's Bay and North West Company. Clifford Sifton, Minister of the Interior in charge of immigration, (1896 - 1905) enduced a variety of agriculturally inclined European emigrants to Canada to settle prairie land around the transcontinental railway. The political boundaries of this area have changed several times evolving through Rupert's Land, Provisional Districts of the North West Territories, and finally a province. Saskatchewan has been a province of Canada since 1905.

[edit] Natural history

The history of this plains area actually began 2,000-2,100 million years ago wherein there were two continents separated by an ocean. The "Churchill Continent" which would be Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and the "Superior Continent" which would comprise Manitoba and Ontario. 1,830 - 1,800 million years ago these two land masses collided. The Northern shield area and western Rockies formed higher land from the collision. The lower lands of today's parkland were covered by a shallow sea even in the Palaeozoic Era. It was not till the Cretaceous Period 144 - 65 million years ago that the inland sea began to drain. Here we begin to find the paleontological artifacts of various dinosaur species. The ica age of the Quaternary Period totally again re-shaped and re-shifted the landscape of Saskatchewan, occurring 2 million yeara ago.^[5]

Following these geological changes to this area, and the formation of the continent of North America as we know it, pre-history to the history of contemporary day can begin.

[edit] Pre-European

For more information on the early pre-history of the province of Saskatchewan see also Saskatchewan Archaeological Society.

For more information on the earliest inhabitants of this early area, see Chipewyan, Cree, Algonkian, Assiniboine and Atsina.

Archaeologists divide the time frame to study ancient findings into contemporary which would be from the twentieth century on, Protohistoric archaeology from 1620 to contemporary, and Prehistoric archaeology is the study before early exploration to the area.

The prehistoric archaeology studies the findings and further classifies them according to traditions followed by the ancient peoples.

Palaeo-Indian Tradition of the Agate Basin finds date to as early as c 6000 BC, Taltheilei Tradition c 500 BC and Shield Archaic Tradition c 4000 BC^[6]

The Athapaskans, Dene or Chipewyan First Nation lived in the shield area, and were caribou hunters. Their early archaeological history is documented around 1615.^[7]

Samuel Hearne was one of the first early explorers to make contact with the Dene. Algonkian or Woodland Cree (Kristinaux) lived above the treeline, whereas plains Cree lived in the open parkland area. Prairie buffalo hunters pre-dominated in southern Saskatchewan and were mainly of the first nation Siouan or Assiniboine (Nakota). Atsina or Dakota (Sioux) were living on the outskirts of the area now known as Saskatchewan.^[3]

[edit] Early Explorers

Some early explorers who made inroads to the west are:

• Louis de la Corne, Chevalier de la Corne
• Peter Fidler
• Samuel Hearne
• Anthony Henday
• Henry Kelsey
• Pierre La Vérendrye
• Peter Pond
• John Palliser
• David Thompson
• Philip Turnor^[8]

[edit] Fur Trade Era

First nations trading furs for goods from fur traders .

In May 1670, Britain gave the lands which drained into the Hudson Bay watershed to “the Governor and Company of Adventurers of England trading into Hudson's Bay”, which later became the Hudson's Bay Company. In 1774, Cumberland House, the company's first trading post, was erected.

Travelling inland were the French Canadian Voyeurs of the North West Company arriving from Eastern Canada.

European fur traders, American fur traders set up forts and trading posts and established commerce with the First Nations people. First nation folk helped the early visitor adapt to the land, and supplied furs in exchange for goods.

The richest resource for this area appeared to be the fur trade industry, early development and settlement was in the northern areas. Fort Garry, Manitoba (1870–1876) was declared the very first capital of the North-West Territories. The North-West Mounted Police barracks shifted location further west. Fort Livingstone of the North-West Territories was declared capital (1876–1877), but was short lived. It began as an NWMP police barracks, however, it was not fit for living in due to hasty construction and a severe winter setting in. October 7, 1876 saw the passing of the North-West Territories Act by Lieutenant Govenor Laird. he departed from Fort Livingstone in the summer of 1877 and proclaimed a new capital of the North-West Territories at Battleford (1877–1883). For governing purposes, the vast area of the North-West Territories was divided into provisional districts on May 8, 1882.^[9] The telegraph line linked up the northern communities.

Between 1871 and 1899, Treaties 1 through 8 have been signed between the North West Territory Government and the First Nations peoples.^[10]

[edit] Political boundaries

Rupert's Land became the first western area. In 1670 when Great Britain gave the The Governor and Company of Adventurers Trading into Hudson's Bay (Hudson's Bay Company) dominion over lands where there was water passageway from the Hudson Bay which was entitled .Rupert's Land.^[11] The North West Territories was divided into districts in 1870. The Provisional Districts of Alberta, Assiniboia, Athabasca, and Saskatchewan were districts of the Northwest Territories created in 1882. They were named provisional districts to distinguish them from the District of Keewatin which had a more autonomous relationship from the NWT administration. Due to the vastness of the Northwest Territories, it was divided into more administrative districts. 1895 saw the formation of the District of Franklin, District of Keewatin, District of Ungava and the District of Mackenzie which were all part of the NWT. By this date, the Provisional District of Athabasca had extended as far west as the first meridian.^[12][13]

[edit] Immigration and Settlement Era

For more information on the earliest inhabitants and explorers of Saskatchewan see History of Immigration - Western Canada, Category:Ethnic groups in Canada.

Early sod house

Louis Riel led the North-West Rebellion of 1885 and stoically fought to defend the existing 'wild west' lifestyle of the fur trade era.^{[dubious – discuss]}

It is felt that 'civilized' settlement could now be initiated and followed the course of many European and American agricultural communities. The first missionaries developed catechism and education as early as 1840 at Cumberland House. Moose Jaw School District #1 was established in 1884 a follow through from Territorial Ordinance #5.

When the surveyors for the railways came through, they at first proposed a route following the early telegraph line, however a number of historic factors changed this route. The U.S.A. - Canada boundary was hard to defend to remain a sovereign country, expenses from Winnipeg through to Calgary was easier through the southern prairies rather than going upwards to Battleford and Edmonton. The southern route of the railway, went through the village of Pile O' Bones in 1882. By 1903, the influx of settlers via the railway increased the population to city status, and Pile O' Bones was now known as Regina. In 1905, when Saskatchewan became a province, Regina was named the capital city. Immigration was advertised in a massive campaign put forth by Clifford Sifton, Minister of the Interior in charge of immigration, (1896 - 1905)^[14] who brought into being Canada's homesteading act, the Dominion Lands Act in 1872. The railway brought life to settlements, which quickly grew to villages, and towns. Typically many small communities sprung up 10-12 miles apart a distance easily travelled by horse and cart in a day.

Many ethnic block settlements developed throughout the North West Territories, as well as many project communities such as:

The French counts established Rolandrie Ranch and a gentleman lifestyle at Whitewood, saskatchewan.

In the 1880s Edward Pierce tried to transplant early Victorian living at Cannington Manor in the 1880s, now preserved as Cannington Manor Provincial Park.

The Barr Colonists ventured north in 1903 and settled in Brittania now known as Lloydminster, Saskatchewan.

In the north west of the provisional district of Saskatchewan, NWT, Peter Vasilevich Verigin set up several Doukhobor bloc colonies.

[edit] Military History

Military History of Saskatchewan includes the early conflicts between conflicting First Nations. Prior to European settlement many battles were fought between the Blackfoot, Atsina, Cree, Assiniboine, Saulteaux, Sioux, and Dene. Many place names hearken back to these early conflicts such as the Battle River: so named due to Cree-Blackfoot fighting in the area. The Blackfoot Confederacy, and Atsina or Gros Ventre were pushed out of Saskatchewan following decades of warfare with the Cree, Saulteaux, and Assiniboine. In the boreal forest conflicts raged between the Woods Cree and Dene or Chipewyan up until the late nineteenth century.

The creation of the Métis added a new dimension to conflicts in what is now Saskatchewan. In addition to violence related to the fur trade between the North West Company and Hudson's Bay Company (which ended with the merger of the two in 1821), the Metis took part in battles with the Sioux and Gros Ventre across the plains. The last battles fought in Saskatchewan, and the last battles fought in what is now Canada occurred in 1885 during the Northwest Rebellion. Although small by global standards this short war had a profound effect on Canadian French-English relations, and was a defining moment in the history of the West and the Métis. ^[15]

[edit] Maritime history

The maritime history of Saskatchewan was mainly a historic mode of transport. During the early fur trading era from the 1600s through to the 1800s, travel to this inland province could be facilitated by waterways as there were no roads nor railways at this time. The First Nations and French fur traders from the East relied on birch bark canoes to traverse the main rivers, and the English fur trader from the Hudson's Bay Company travelled by York boat.^[16]

During the late 1800s steamboats were used to navigate immigrants and goods along the Saskatchewan River. This only continued until 1896 when the last steamboat ceased operations. The ice flows of the winter months and the shallow sand bars made this form of navigation impractical. The most notable highlight of the steamboat era was the impact steamboats made upon the North West Rebellion.^[17]

Since this time the main use of maritime travel are the 13 seasonal ferries which are still operational and started use in Saskatchewan in the late 1800s. Barges are used to transport freight on the larger northern lakes, Wollaston and Athabasca for the northern mining industry.^[18]

[edit] Saskatchewan since becoming a province

The provisional districts of Assiniboia, Saskatchewan and Athabaska of the Northwest Territories amalgamated into the province of Saskatchewan in 1905. The boundaries consist of: on the west is the 4th Meridian, south 49th parallel US–Canada boundary line, to the north the Northwest Territories–Saskatchewan boundary line, and just about on the 2nd Meridian on the eastern boundary with the province of Manitoba.^[19]

The early government formed rural municipalities initially to protect against prairie fires, establish roads and bridges. As homesteads were established, and agricultural methods perfected the community, slowly evolved. With supplemental monetary resources rural municipalities could now develop and establish schools for education, churches, cemeteries and health care for their residents.

World War I showed a need to develop a common language for all across the province. English now helped economies, education, and trade to develop, and broke down the existence of the ethnic block community. World War I brought to the forefront a fear of ethnicities, and a survival instinct developed the need for a Canadian identity.

The roaring twenties saw many conflicting beliefs of settlement groups, and was a very prosperous time. Bootlegging activities, gangsters such as Al Capone, and the underground trade of whisky smuggling used the caves around Cypress Hills, and the Soo Line which ended in Moose Jaw the Sin City of the north," or "Little Chicago".

The Depression combined with the drought of the Dirty Thirties devastated and almost destroyed the province. Poverty and Labour radicalism lead to the Estevan Riot and the Regina Riot. Thousands emigrated away from the family homestead as it could no longer support the family nor the community. See also Great Depression in Canada.

The industrial revolution following World War II changed the face of Saskatchewan history. Combines and mechanized farming was now available, farms became larger and more folk moved into urban centers. The one room school house closed down to make way for the more industrial or consolidated school in town which provided more resources for more technological development. Growth and improvements in technology paved the way for the contemporary society of Saskatchewan.

[edit] Archontology of Saskatchewan

Archontology is the study of historical Saskatchewan offices and important positions in various organizations and societies. This list cannot be comprehensive but rather an introduction to those who have contributed to the shaping of Saskatchewan. There are a few who are highlighted through the events of history, who have helped to mould and build Saskatchewan as it is today.

see also Category:People from Saskatchewan

Louis Riel - (October 22, 1844 – November 16, 1885) was a Canadian politician, a founder of the province of Manitoba, and leader of the Métis people of the Canadian prairies.^[20]

Honourable Sir Frederick William Alpin Gordon Haultain K.B., November 25, 1857 - January 30, 1942. Sir Frederick W. A. G. Haultain, Chief Justice of Saskatchewan, and Commissioner of Education, who developed the early school system on the rugged frontier.^[21]

The Right Reverend George Exton Lloyd, M.A., D.D., Bishop of the Diocese Of Saskatchewan (January 6, 1861 leader of the British Barr Colony, and founder of Emmanuel College, Saskatoon.^[22]

Edgar Dewdney moved the NWT capital from Battleford to Regina^[23]

Reverend James Nisbet, (September 8, 1823 – September 30, 1874) settled in the Prince Albert, Saskatchewan area and was founder of First Presbyterian Church (1872) where English and Cree Sunday School services were provided.

William Richard Motherwell who was Saskatchewan's first minister of agriculture as well as federal minister of agriculture for the Mackenzie King administration.^[24]

Thomas Clement Douglas, PC, CC, SOM, MA, LL.D (hc) (October 20, 1904 – February 24, 1986) was a leader of the Saskatchewan Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) from 1942 and the seventh Premier of Saskatchewan from 1944 to 1961, who led the first socialist government in North America and introduced universal public medicare to Canada.^[25]

John George Diefenbaker, CH, PC, QC, BA, MA, LL.B, LL.D, DCL, FRSC, FRSA, D.Litt, DSL, (18 September 1895 – 16 August 1979) was the 13th Prime Minister of Canada (1957 – 1963).^[26]

Gordon "Gordie" Howe, OC (March 31, 1928 in Floral, Saskatchewan) is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers in the NHL, and the Houston Aeros and New England Whalers in the WHA. He is often referred to as Mr. Hockey, and is generally regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, being most famous for his scoring prowess, physical strength, and longevity.^[27]

[edit] Art History

Art History of Sasakatchewan is complex and diverse as it follows the changes and social context of art in this prairie province. Petroglyphs are the earliest studied artforms which are located in archaeological sites of Saskatchewan. As early as the 1600s, explorer depicted the early North West in both written, painted and drawn artforms. Frederick Verner, W.G.R. Hind, Peter Rindisbacher, Edward Roper and Paul Kane are some of the earliest artists. Followed by William Kurelek, C. W. Jefferys, Robert Hurley and Dorothy Knowles. Margaret Laurence, W.O. Mitchell, Nellie McClung captured the prairie spirit in words. In the 1920s the Group of Seven formed a group of Canadian landscape painters compring of Franklin Carmichael, Lawren Harris, A. Y. Jackson, Frank Johnston, Arthur Lismer, J. E. H. MacDonald, Frederick Varley, A. J. Casson, Edwin Holgate, LeMoine Fitzgerald and Tom Thomson. Augustus Kenderdine, landscape painter started art instruction at Emma Lake, Saskatchewan. Imagery changed of the grasslands shown in the early drawings where the wild west was a romantic adventure of first nation and Buffalo. The prairie scenery then highlighted building a Nation, a prairie utopia, through to the realism of the settlement experience.^[28]

Paul Kane, (September 3, 1810 – February 20, 1871) was an Irish-Canadian painter, famous for his paintings of First Nations peoples in the Canadian West and other Native Americans in the Oregon Country.^[29]

Henry Youle Hind (1 June 1823 – 8 August 1908), Canadian geologist and explorer detailed his travels in both images and these writings Narrative of the Canadian Red River Exploring Expedition of 1857 and Reports of Progress on the Assiniboine and Saskatchewan Exploring Expedition.^[30]

Count Imhoff (1865-1939) painted magnificent religious murals within churches at St. Walburg, Muenster, St. Benedict, Bruno, Denzil, Reward, St. Leo, Humboldt, Paradise Hill, North Battleford etc.^[31]

Joni Mitchell, CC (born Roberta Joan Anderson on November 7, 1943) is a noted Canadian musician, songwriter, and painter.

William Ormond Mitchell PC , OC , D.Litt, (W.O. Mitchell) (March 13, 1914 – February 25, 1998) born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan was an author of novels, short stories, and plays such as Who Has Seen The Wind.^[32]

Joe Fafard B.S.A, M.F.A(born September 2, 1942) is a Canadian sculptor also taught sculpture at the University of Saskatchewan.

[edit] See also

• Natural Resources Transfer Acts
• Politics of Saskatchewan
• Pioneers and Prominent People of Saskatchewan
• Saskatchewan and Its People
• Virtual Saskatchewan - Accomplished People from Saskatchewan

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] Bibliography

• Archer, John H. Saskatchewan: A History. Saskatoon: Western Producer Prairie Books, 1980. 422 pp.
• Bennett, John W. and Kohl, Seena B. Settling the Canadian-American West, 1890-1915: Pioneer Adaptation and Community Building. An Anthropological History. U. of Nebraska Press, 1995. 311 pp.
• Bocking, D. H., ed. Pages from the Past: Essays on Saskatchewan History. Saskatoon: Western Producer Prairie Books, 1979. 299 pp.
• LaPointe, Richard and Tessier, Lucille. The Francophones of Saskatchewan: A History. Regina: U. of Regina, Campion Coll., 1988. 329 pp.
• Lipset, Seymour M. Agrarian Socialism: The Cooperative Commonwealth Federation in Saskatchewan: A Study in Political Sociology, University of California Press, 1950
• Smith, Dennis. Rogue Tory: The Life and Legend of John G. Diefenbaker. Toronto: Macfarlane Walter & Ross, 1995. 702 pp.
• Bill Waiser. Saskatchewan: A New History (2006)

[edit] Primary sources

• Smith, David E., ed. Building a Province: A History of Saskatchewan in Documents. Saskatoon: Fifth House, 1993. 443 pp.

[edit] External links

• Saskatchewan Settlement Experience
• Saskatchewan Gen Web Project - SGW - Saskatchewan Genealogy Roots
• Atlas of Saskatchewan Boundary Evolution and Ethnic Bloc Settlement Maps
• Online Historical Map Digitization Project- showing settlement development on the railways in various years

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