Cree Nation

See also Chippeewa-Cree Indians

History

Contact with the non-Indians occured early in the 1600's. By the late 1600's the tribe was trading with the coloist and the Hudson Bay Company which had trading posts on the Nelson, Moose and Albany rivers. Trade was established with both the French and British.

In the 1730's the tribe moved to the prairies, tribal leaders wanted the tribe to be independent and less dependent on the trading post. The prairies were inhabited by the Assiniboin who became their ally.

During the 1800's many converted to Christianity

The tribe had inter tribal conflicts and war with Blackfeet, Crow, Cheyenne, Dakota, Flathead and Nez Perce tribes.

By 1881 the buffalo herds had deminished leaving the tribe near starvation.

Assigned to the Rocky Boy Reservation with the Chippewa tribe in 1916.

The tribe was ravaged by tuberculosis, flu, measels, whooping cough and bronchitis during 1920-1940.

Brief Time Line

1611: First non-Indian contact with Henry Hudson

Late 1600's: Cree were trading with colonist and the Hudson Bay Company which had set up post at the mouth to the Nelson, Moose and Albany rivers.

1730: Removed to the prairies, making them less dependent on the trading post.  They took over land held by the Assinboin, The Assiniboin became their principal ally

1700's: trade relations with the Blackfeet, these relations were maintained until 1790-1810 when the relation broke down

1800: Missionaries convert many to Christianity

The Cree traded with both the English and the French

1840: Intertribal war with the Blackfeet, Dakota, Crow, Cheyenne, Nez Perce and Flathead

1860: population of the Plains Cree numbered 12,500  

1881: Buffalo herds deminished; the tribe near of starvation

1899: population 6,807

1916: assigned with the Chippewa to the Rocky Boy's Reservation in Montana

1920-1940: Many die from tuberculosis, flu, measles, whooping cough and bronchitis