North West Mounted Police Law Enforcement after the Red River Rebellion

After the Red River Rebellion After land was finally transferred to the government law and order was difficult to maintain The First Nations kept their own order and followed their own rules Meanwhile American traders started moving into the Canadian West Settlers did not want to move into the area because it truly was the Wild West

Government Reports The government was receiving reports of lawlessness In 1870 PM MacDonald send Captain Butler to report on the area He states that “…the area is without law, order or security for life or property, robbery and murder goes unpunished…” The Americans have set up a trading post 60 miles within Canadian property and are trading alcohol, guns and armaments with the First Nations This trading post was known as Fort Whoop Up

Fort Whoop-Up or Fort Hamilton American Trade Headquarters

Lt. Col. Robertson-Ross The government decided to send out Lt. Col Robertson- Ross to make suggestions to the Canadian government

The demoralization of the Indians, danger to the white inhabitants, and injury resulting to the country from this trade is very great. Year after year, this shameful traffic causes bloodshed among the Indians. It is indispensable for the peace of the country and welfare of the Indians that this traffic in spirits and firearms be no longer permitted. One regiment of mounted riflemen, 550 strong, would be a sufficient force to support the government in establishing law and order, preserving the peace of the North-West Territories, and affording protection to the surveyors, contractors, and railway labourers about to undertake the great work of constructing the railway. — Adapted from the Robertson-Ross report to Canada’s government, 17 March 1873, pages 27–28, 30.

Cypress Hills In June 1873 a group of traders kill 36 Nakota First Nations people The Canadian government decides to create a special police force for the West This was known as the North West Mounted Police (NWMP) and was the original Royal Canadian Mounted Police

North West Mounted Police

March West 300 men were sent to patrol the West a very small number given the size of the land they needed to patrol July 1874 the entire force set out for Fort Whoop Up Their march was made up of 100 Red River Carts, 70 wagons, field guns, mortars, field kitchen, portable forges and an ambulance pulled by either oxen or horse

Meeting with the Nakota (Sioux) August 1874, the Nakota shook hands with NWMP and complained of the treatment their people were getting from the Americans They told the NWMP that they trusted the British Queen The NWMP continued on to Fort Whoop- Up throughout the fall

The NWMP traveled all fall but as the winter set in all were worried about surviving the harsh climate After sending some south for fresh provisions remaining officers discover the fort at the junction of the Belly and St. Mary’s Rivers The NWMP open fire but after entering they find the fort deserted Traders had heard about the NWMP arriving and left the fort whisky and all

Fort McLeod The NWMP set up headquarters at Fort McLeod for the winter knowing that no reinforcements would arrive until spring

Bringing About Law and Order Duties of the NWMP: 1.Establish posts to house and protect men and horses 2.To track down people who broke the law and bring them to justice 3.To collect custom dues; to track down illegal traders 4.Gain respect and confidence of the First Nations 5. Police and protect the Dakota while they were in Canada 6. Negotiate treaties with the First Nations 7. Keep law and order in CPR construction camps 8. To give aid and advice to settlers 9. To perform all the duties of a police force