| When Battleford
became capital of the North West Territories in 1876,
the NWMP established it fifth post here. The
capital moved to Regina in 1883, but the fort remained
an important police post and played a role in the North
West Rebellion/Resistance of 1885. As the base for
military operations, the fort sheltered five hundred
people who feared for their safety and provided
reinforcement to Fort Pitt. |
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| The fort aided in
the search for Mistahimmaskwa (Chief Big Bear) and was
also the site of Pitikwahanapiwiyin's (Chief Poundmaker)
arrest. Both were chiefs of the Plains Cree
Tribe. Subsequently in November of 1885, the
largest mass hanging in Canadian history occurred within
the fort's stockade with the execution of eight First
Nations men for prior murders. Fort Battleford
reduce its forces and closed in 1924. During its
occupation, Fort Battleford was the northernmost
extension of the eastern branch along the Old Forts
Trail. |
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