The Battle of the Belly River
Posted by: 
smartee
N 49° 41.737 W 112° 51.160
12U E 366392 N 5506436
The last major conflict between the Cree and the Blackfoot Confederacy, and the last major battle between First Nations on Canadian soil.
Waymark Code: WM6BXQ
Location: Alberta, Canada
Date Posted: 05/10/2009
Views: 16
The battle took place on the banks of Alberta's Belly River (now the Oldman River), within the present limits of the city of Lethbridge. A devastating outbreak of smallpox had reduced the strength of the Blackfoot, and a Cree war party had come south in late October, 1870 in order to take advantage of that weakness. An advance party of Crees had stumbled upon a Peigan camp and decided to attack instead of informing the main Cree body of their find. Soon word passed to other Blackfoot, Blood and Peigan camps in the immediate area, and warriors were sent to join battle. After several hours of trading shots, a Blackfoot party gained the high ground and made the Cree positions untenable. The retreat became a rout, and up to 300 Cree warriors were killed trying to make their escape.
Approximately a year after the battle, the Cree and Blackfoot made a formal peace. Treaty No.7, between the Blackfoot Confederacy and the Crown, was signed in 1877. In 1890, the town of Lethbridge was founded near the battle site. The battle itself is commemorated in Indian Battle Park.
Name of Battle:
Battle of the Belly River
Name of War: On-going tribal conflict
Entrance Fee: 0.00 (listed in local currency)
Parking: N 49° 41.734 W 112° 51.145
Date(s) of Battle (Beginning): 10/20/1870
Date of Battle (End): Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Post a photo of you in front of a sign or marker posted at the site of the battle (or some other way to indicate you have personally visited the site.
In addition it is encouraged to take a few photos of the surrounding area and interesting features at the site.