Battle of the Belly River facts for kids

The Battle of the Belly River was a very important fight between two large groups of First Nations people: the Cree (also known as the Iron Confederacy) and the Blackfoot Confederacy. It was the last major battle between these groups and the last big fight between First Nations on Canadian land.

What Happened at Belly River?

This battle took place on October 25, 1870. It happened near what is now the city of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada. The fight was along the banks of the Oldman River, which was called the Belly River back then.

Why the Battle Started

Before the battle, many Blackfoot people had become very sick from a disease called smallpox. This made them weaker. The Cree people knew about this and decided to travel south. They hoped to take advantage of the Blackfoot's weakness.

The Surprise Attack

A smaller group of Cree warriors was scouting ahead. They accidentally found a camp of Peigan people, who are part of the Blackfoot Confederacy. Instead of telling the main Cree army, they decided to attack right away.

Word quickly spread to other Blackfoot, Blood, and Peigan camps nearby. Warriors from these camps rushed to join the fight.

The Battle Unfolds

The two sides fought for several hours, shooting at each other. Then, a group of Blackfoot warriors managed to get to higher ground. This gave them a big advantage. From this high spot, they could easily attack the Cree positions, making it very hard for the Cree to defend themselves.

The Cree warriors had to retreat, but their retreat quickly turned into a disorganized escape. Many Cree warriors were killed while trying to get away. It's estimated that between 200 and 400 Cree warriors died in this battle.

After the Battle

About a year after the Battle of the Belly River, the Cree and Blackfoot leaders decided to make a formal peace. This was a very important step.

Making Peace

In 1873, a famous Blackfoot chief named Crowfoot officially adopted Poundmaker, who was a rising Cree leader. This act of adoption helped to seal the peace between their nations.

Treaties and New Towns

Later, in 1877, a big agreement called Treaty 7 was signed. This treaty was between the Blackfoot Confederacy and the Canadian government (called the Crown).

In 1906, the town of Lethbridge was founded very close to where the battle happened. Today, the Battle of the Belly River is remembered at a place called Indian Battle Park in Lethbridge.