Geographic Feature: Dakota – Assiniboine Battle: Napinka

Description

(1830) A battle between the Dakota and Assiniboine occurred northeast of present-day Napinka in 1830.

Stories

At home in southwest Manitoba for centuries The Assiniboine were once a Nation that occupied a territory that spanned the prairie provinces (including southwest Manitoba) and parts of the northern United States. Once numbering 10,000 strong, the Assiniboine spent at least two centuries hunting bison on the plains surrounding Turtle Mountain, and in later years actively participated in the fur trade on the Souris River. [[inline:left:assiniboine-camp]] Legend The Assiniboine were members of the Yanktonai arm of the Dakota Nation, who lived in the western forests of what is now Minnesota. The Assiniboine broke off from the Yanktonai sometime before 1640. …
Unlike other First Nations in Canada, the Dakota did not sign treaties with the Canadian government. Because of this they are still fighting for acknowledgment of their Aboriginal title. The Argument The Canadian government maintains that the Dakota are American “Indians” who came to Canada as refugees in the 1860s. From this viewpoint, the Dakota are not Canadian Aboriginal people and therefore cannot gain treaty status. The Dakota feel that the Canadian government has used this explanation as an excuse to deny them the treaty rights they deserve. [[inline:right:pow-wow]] There are nine Dakota bands in Canada today—four in Saskatchewan and …