Battle of Loon Lake facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Loon Lake
Part of the North-West Rebellion
Date June 3, 1885 Location North of Frenchman Butte, Saskatchewan Result Canadian victory
Belligerents
Cree	Canada
Commanders and leaders
Big Bear Wandering Spirit	Sam Steele
Strength
150	75 militia
Casualties and losses
5–12 dead 75-100 wounded at Loon Lake and Frenchman Butte	7 wounded
National Historic Site of Canada
Official name: Steele Narrows National Historic Site of Canada
Designated:	1950

The Battle of Loon Lake, also known as the Battle of Steele Narrows, was the very last fight of the North-West Rebellion. This important event happened on June 3, 1885. It was also the final battle ever fought on Canadian land.

The battle took place in what is now Saskatchewan. Specifically, it was at a spot called Steele Narrows, near Makwa Lake. Steele Narrows is a narrow water channel that connects two parts of the lake.

During the battle, a group of Canadian forces led by Major Sam Steele found a group of Cree warriors. These warriors were with some white and Métis people who had been taken during the conflict. Major Steele's group included police, mounted soldiers, and scouts he had gathered.

The Cree scouts tried to hold their ground with the little ammunition they had left. But the main group of Cree warriors soon realized they couldn't win. They decided to let their prisoners go and then fled. About four Cree warriors died, and dozens more were hurt.

Wandering Spirit, who was a leader of the Cree warriors, later gave himself up to the authorities at Fort Pitt. Big Bear, an older Cree chief, managed to avoid being captured until July 2.

Remembering the Battle of Loon Lake

The place where the Battle of Loon Lake happened is very important. In 1950, it was named a National Historic Site of Canada. This means it's a special place in Canadian history.

In 2008, a government minister named Christine Tell spoke in Duck Lake. She said that the 125th anniversary of the 1885 Northwest Resistance in 2010 was a great chance. It was a chance to share the stories of the Métis and First Nations peoples. Their struggles with the government helped shape Canada into what it is today.

Today, you can visit the Battle of Loon Lake site. There are signs put up by the Government of Saskatchewan that explain what happened. There's also a plaque from the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

The area of the battlefield became a provincial park in 1986. This park is called Steele Narrows Provincial Historic Park. It's about 88 hectares (217 acres) big. The park protects a lookout point for a Cree burial ground. It also has signs to teach visitors about the history and a place for recreation.

See also

• List of conflicts in Canada