1

Superintendent Crozier led the NWMP to Duck Lake to parle with the Metis.
1890

2

Lief Crozier was born in June 1846 in Ireland. Once in Canada he entered the Royal Military College and became a major in the military. He then joined the police in 1874. By 1884 Crozier was the Superintendent of the North West Mounted Police stationed in Fort Carlton and had warned Lieutenant-Governor Dewdney that Government policies were creating unrest among the First Nations and Métis. He feared a repetition of the Red River Revolt and asked for reinforcements to be sent to the North West.

Wanting to avoid conflict, Crozier attempted to negotiate with Riel but was unsuccessful leaving the situation in a stalemate. On March 26, 1885 Crozier sent a small delegation of men to Duck Lake to bring back provisions which were running low at the Fort. These men were confronted by Gabriel Dumont and some Métis; no shots were fired and the police returned to the Fort. Influenced by those around him, Crozier took about 100 men and a 7-pounder gun to meet the Métis. The two groups met West of Duck Lake and the resistance that Crozier had wanted to avoid earlier broke out.

3

Fort Carlton in 1885.
1885
Fort Carlton is located on the east bank of the North Saskatchewan River, west of Duck Lake

4

After the resistance Crozier was made Assistant Commissioner and retired June 30, 1886. He later went to Oklahoma to fight against First Nations. He died there February 21, 1901 and was brought back to Belleville, Ontario to be buried.