Alberta First Nations: Difference between revisions

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Alberta

First Nations

History[edit | edit source]

The eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains form the western border of Alberta; they sweep down and become flat plains. A single culture is thought to have first inhabited this area, reaching all the way to modern day St. Louis, Missouri, USA. This was the site of a large city with extensive trade to the west. It is thought that these people were the ancestors of today’s Blackfoot tribe. Into the 1600s, cultures became more diversified. Although the lifestyles were much the same, there were differences in religion and culture among the tribes. As was common among all North American native people, groups would migrate and often force other groups into a different area.

Queen Victoria of England had consigned “Rupert’s Land” (western Canada) to the Hudson’s Bay Company and the Northwest Company (the two eventually merged). The Dominion of Canada, confederated in 1867, purchased title of the land from the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1870. This event signaled a major shift in relations between the native people and the Europeans. The Hudson’s Bay Company had been primarily interested in the fur trade, which had a fairly minimal effect on the indigenous cultures compared to what was to come.

In 1877, the victor of the Battle of the Little Big Horn, Chief Sitting Bull, having been relentlessly pursued by the U S military, led his people across the border into what would become the province of Alberta. He enjoyed a brief time of peace while there, although ultimately he would return to the United States with his people.

Anthony Henday was sent in 1754 by the Hudson’s Bay Company. He was the first English speaking European to visit Alberta. He found that the natives there had already acquired many items of European origin through extensive trade networks. He had made the trip to establish the fur trade with the Blackfoot, but the answer was uncertain and he returned without an agreement. Since the company wanted to trade for fur, they began to establish trading posts.
.

Tribes and Bands (First Nations) of Alberta[edit | edit source]

A list of contact information for tribes in Alberta can be found at Indian Tribes of Alberta, Canada

A list showing population, location, etc is found at
Wikipedia: First Nations in Alberta

Archives, Libraries, and Museums[edit | edit source]

Glenbow Archive, Library, and Museum

The Glenbow Archives and Library, has an excellent collection of resources for the study of Métis genealogy. Their sources cover predominantly Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and some parts of the Northwest Territories, Ontario, and British Columbia.

Most of our sources pertain to people who were living in the Prairie Provinces in 1900 or earlier.

One unique collection is the Gail Morin database. The collection consists of a database of 65,434 records of persons who were Metis ancestors. For each individual, dates and places of birth, baptism, marriage, death, and burial, and notes on sources are given if known. Using Ancestral Quest software, the data can be linked to show genealogical relationships in the form of pedigree charts and descendancy charts. The database is available only with the assistance of the Archives staff in the reading room of the Glenbow Archives. The database is fully searchable online.

Contact: Glenbow Archives
130 - 9 Avenue
SE Calgary, Alberta T2G 0P3
Reference Desk telephone: 403-268-4204
Email: archives@glenbow.org

Records[edit | edit source]

Indian Registers, 1951-1984 , Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, are maintained at the Library and Archives in Ottawa. Access to these records is restricted. Inquiries must be directed to the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs: regional offices are listed at
Indigenous Services Canada

Cemetery Records[edit | edit source]

Indian Burials in Alberta, Canada. by Janet Longbotham.

Winter Count[edit | edit source]

Dempsey, Hugh A. A Blackfoot Winter Count. Glenbow Foundation, Calgary, Alberta 1965. Occasional Paper No. 1 OCLC605474 WorldCat

Periodicals[edit | edit source]

The Native People, Alberta Native Communications Society, 1973 FS Library film 979258

References[edit | edit source]

"American bison - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_bison#Native_hunting (accessed April 5, 2012).

"Anthony Henday." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/sitting-bull-leads-his-people-into-canadahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Henday (accessed April 5, 2012).

"Canadian Indian residential school system - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Indian_residential_school_system (accessed April 5, 2012).

"History Timeline." Blackfeet Nation. http://www.blackfeetnation.com/about-the-blackfeet/28-history-timeline.html (accessed April 5, 2012).

Jeness, Diamond. Indians of Canada. 1932. Reprint, Vancouver: National Museum of Canada, 1972.
Malinowski, Sharon. The Gale encyclopedia of Native American tribes. Detroit: Gale, 1998.

"Royal Alberta Museum: Collections and Research: Archaeology: Aspects of Alberta Archaeology: Alberta Aboriginal History Timeline." Royal Alberta Museum. http://www.royalalbertamuseum.ca/human/archaeo/aspects/timeline.htm (accessed April 5, 2012).

"Royal Alberta Museum: Collections and Research: Archaeology: Aspects of Alberta Archaeology: Fur Trade." Royal Alberta Museum. http://www.royalalbertamuseum.ca/human/archaeo/aspects/furtrade.htm (accessed April 5, 2012).

"Sitting Bull leads his people into Canada â€” History.com This Day in History â€” 5/5/1877." History.com â€” History Made Every Day â€” American & World History. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/sitting-bull-leads-his-people-into-canada (accessed April 5, 2012).

Swanton, John R. The Indian Tribes of North America. Washington: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1952.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-''[[Canada Genealogy|Canada]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Canada First Nations|First Nations]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Alberta Genealogy|Alberta]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]'' '''First Nations'''  [[Image:436px-Niukskai-Stamik Three Bulls Blood.jpg|thumb|right]]
+{{Alberta-Sidebar}}{{breadcrumb
+| link1=[[Canada Genealogy|Canada]]
+| link2=
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+{| style="float:right; margin-right:50px"
+|-
+| style="padding-right:0px"|
+|[[Image:436px-Niukskai-Stamik Three Bulls Blood.jpg|thumb|right]]
+|}
 === History  ===
+The eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains form the western border of Alberta; they sweep down and become flat plains. A single culture is thought to have first inhabited this area, reaching all the way to modern day St. Louis, [[Indians of Missouri|Missouri]], USA. This was the site of a large city with extensive trade to the west. It is thought that these people were the ancestors of today’s Blackfoot tribe. Into the 1600s, cultures became more diversified. Although the lifestyles were much the same, there were differences in religion and culture among the tribes. As was common among all North American native people, groups would migrate and often force other groups into a different area. <br>
-The eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains form the western border of Alberta; they sweep down and become flat plains. A single culture is thought to have first inhabited this area, reaching all the way to modern day St. Louis, [[Indians of Missouri|Missouri]], USA. This was the site of a large city with extensive trade to the west. It is thought that these people were the ancestors of today’s Blackfoot tribe. Into the 1600s, cultures became more diversified. Although the lifestyles were much the same, there were differences in religion and culture among the tribes. As was common among all North American native people, groups would migrate and often force other groups into a different area. <br>Bison roamed the open plains, migrating south in the winter and north in the spring. These animals were essential to the lifestyle of the native tribes. They were incorrectly called “buffalo” by the first Europeans, who thought they might be similar to the water buffalo in India. However, they are a distinct line and the proper name is bison. The millions of animals provided meat, clothing, cooking utensils, medication, soap, rope, moccasins, knives, pipes, arrowheads, war clubs, glue, thread, bow strings, coverings for the tipi poles, and much more. <br>Horses reached the plains in the 1730s. Firearms also became available in the 1780s. Life became easier and more complicated at the same time. Horses extended how far they could travel, especially war parties. Guns extended the number of bison they could kill and store. Guns also enhanced their ability to expand their territory, at least until all the tribes had guns and access (through trading) to ammunition.<br>Queen Victoria of England had consigned “Rupert’s Land” (western Canada) to the Hudson’s Bay Company and the Northwest Company (the two eventually merged). The Dominion of Canada, confederated in 1867, purchased title of the land from the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1870. This event signaled a major shift in relations between the native people and the Europeans. The Hudson’s Bay Company had been primarily interested in the [[Canada, Fur Trade (National Institute)|fur trade]], which had a fairly minimal effect on the indigenous cultures compared to what was to come. <br>In 1877, the victor of the Battle of the Little Big Horn, Chief Sitting Bull, having been relentlessly pursued by the U S military, led his people across the border into what would become the province of Alberta. He enjoyed a brief time of peace while there, although ultimately he would return to the United States with his people. <br>Anthony Henday was sent in 1754 by the Hudson’s Bay Company. He was the first English speaking European to visit Alberta. He found that the natives there had already acquired many items of European origin through extensive trade networks. He had made the trip to establish the fur trade with the Blackfoot, but the answer was uncertain and he returned without an agreement. Since the company wanted to trade for fur, they began to establish trading posts. An excellent description of the fur trade and trading posts in Alberta is found at&nbsp;http://www.royalalbertamuseum.ca/human/archaeo/aspects/furtrade.htm .<br>By the 1870s, [[First Nations of Canada|Canada]] was actively trying to suppress the practice of native religions. The thinking of the time was that Indians should be assimilated into Canadian society. This practice would result in not only loss of much of the aboriginal spiritual practice, but also endangerment of the language in which these practices could be adequately conveyed to succeeding generations. In recent years, there has been an effort to preserve the language and spirituality of the First Nations – although much has been successful, much has been forever lost. <br>Another effort to assimilate the Indians into Canadian culture was to send, sometimes by force, the children as young as four years old to residential schools, often far from their homes. They were to be taught a trade, the Christian religion, etc. This effort, which went on for many years, turned out to be disastrous in many instances.<br>In recent decades, the First Nations (the preferred term for the indigenous or aboriginal peoples of Canada), have experienced a renewed pride in their traditional culture and heritage. Many issues surround the treaties (many of which were made by Great Britain before Canada became a country) and the relations between First Nations and the Canadian government.<br>
+Queen Victoria of England had consigned “Rupert’s Land” (western Canada) to the Hudson’s Bay Company and the Northwest Company (the two eventually merged). The Dominion of Canada, confederated in 1867, purchased title of the land from the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1870. This event signaled a major shift in relations between the native people and the Europeans. The Hudson’s Bay Company had been primarily interested in the [[Canada, Fur Trade - International Institute|fur trade]], which had a fairly minimal effect on the indigenous cultures compared to what was to come. <br>
-=== Tribes and Bands (First Nations) of Alberta  ===
+In 1877, the victor of the Battle of the Little Big Horn, Chief Sitting Bull, having been relentlessly pursued by the U S military, led his people across the border into what would become the province of Alberta. He enjoyed a brief time of peace while there, although ultimately he would return to the United States with his people. <br>
+Anthony Henday was sent in 1754 by the Hudson’s Bay Company. He was the first English speaking European to visit Alberta. He found that the natives there had already acquired many items of European origin through extensive trade networks. He had made the trip to establish the fur trade with the Blackfoot, but the answer was uncertain and he returned without an agreement. Since the company wanted to trade for fur, they began to establish trading posts.<br>.<br>
+== Tribes and Bands (First Nations) of Alberta  ==
 A list of contact information for tribes in Alberta can be found at [http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/tribes/canada/albertatribes.htm Indian Tribes of Alberta, Canada]
-Another list, showing treaty areas, is found at <br> http://www.aboriginalcanada.com/firstnation/dirfnab.htm<br>
+A list showing population, location, etc is found at <br> [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Nations_in_Alberta Wikipedia: First Nations in Alberta]<br>
-A list showing population, location, etc is found at <br> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Nations_in_Alberta<br>
 === Archives, Libraries, and Museums  ===
@@ Line 21: / Line 35: @@
 Most of our sources pertain to people who were living in the Prairie Provinces in 1900 or earlier.
-One unique collection is the Gail Morin who donated her '''40,000 name data base''' to the archive in 2011. The data base is ancestral quest format and all in families with sources.
+One unique collection is the Gail Morin database. The collection consists of a database of 65,434 records of persons who were Metis ancestors. For each individual, dates and places of birth, baptism, marriage, death, and burial, and notes on sources are given if known. Using Ancestral Quest software, the data can be linked to show genealogical relationships in the form of pedigree charts and descendancy charts. The database is available only with the assistance of the Archives staff in the reading room of the Glenbow Archives. The database is fully searchable online.
 Contact: Glenbow Archives<br> 130 - 9 Avenue<br> SE Calgary, Alberta T2G 0P3<br> Reference Desk telephone: 403-268-4204 <br> Email: [http://www.glenbow.org/collections/archives/genealogy/ archives@glenbow.org]
@@ Line 27: / Line 41: @@
 === Records  ===
-Indian Registers, 1951-1984 , Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, are maintained at the Library and Archives in Ottawa. Access to these records is restricted. Inquiries must be directed to the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs: regional offices are listed at<br> http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100033694
+Indian Registers, 1951-1984 , Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, are maintained at the Library and Archives in Ottawa. Access to these records is restricted. Inquiries must be directed to the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs: regional offices are listed at<br> [https://www.canada.ca/en/indigenous-services-canada.html Indigenous Services Canada]
 === Cemetery Records ===
-[https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/2515827?availability=Family%20History%20Library Indian Burials in Alberta, Canada]. by Janet Longbotham.
+[https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/2515827 Indian Burials in Alberta, Canada]. by Janet Longbotham.
 ==== Winter Count  ====
@@ Line 38: / Line 52: @@
 === Periodicals  ===
-The Native People, Alberta Native Communications Society, 1973 FHL film 979258
+The Native People, Alberta Native Communications Society, 1973 FS Library film 979258
-=== Important Web Sites  ===
-A good resource for records is found at [http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/genealogy/022-607.002.01.01.08-e.html Library and Archives of Canada]
-=== References  ===
-==== Bibliography  ====
+==References==
 "American bison - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_bison#Native_hunting&nbsp; (accessed April 5, 2012). <br>
+http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_bison#Native_hunting (accessed April 5, 2012). <br>
 "Anthony Henday." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/sitting-bull-leads-his-people-into-canadahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Henday (accessed April 5, 2012).