Frog Lake Massacre

Infobox Military Conflict


caption=
conflict=Frog Lake Massacre
partof=the North-West Rebellion
date=April 2, 1885
place=Frog Lake, Alberta
result=Cree victory
combatant1=Cree
combatant2=
commander1=Wandering Spirit
commander2=None (Civilians)
strength1=Unknown
strength2=Unknown
casualties1=None
casualties2=9 dead
3 capturedThe Frog Lake Massacre was a Cree uprising during the North-West Rebellion. Led by Wandering Spirit, young Cree warriors attacked the small town near Frog Lake, Alberta in April 2, 1885.

Angered by what seemed to be unfair treaties by the Canadian government and the dwindling buffalo population, their main source of food, the Cree decided to rebel after the successful Métis victory at Duck Lake, despite objections from their chief, Big Bear. They gathered all the white settlers in the area into the local church. Thomas Quinn, the town's Indian Agent, was killed after a disagreement broke out. The Cree then shot the inhabitants. Nine people were killed, among them two missionaries of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Fathers Léon Fafard and Félix Marchand while administering the sacrament of Anointing, and three were taken as captives.

The massacre prompted the Canadian government to take notice of the growing unrest in Western Canada. The rebellion was eventually put down, and Wandering Spirit, the war chief responsible for the Frog Lake Massacre, was hung.

See also

* List of conflicts in Canada

References

* Cameron, W. B. (1926). "The war trail of Big Bear".
* [http://folklore.library.ualberta.ca/dspCitation.cfm?ID=463 Account of eye witness W. B. Cameron] (scan of original letter) at University of Alberta
*
* [http://www.biographi.ca/EN/ShowBio.asp?BioId=39738 Wandering Spirit Bio] at Libraries and Archives Canada