1

The NWMP comes to Fort Saskatchewan
30 October 1875
Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta

2

Before the police force was established in Canada, settlers, natives and whiskey traders lived together with very little law and order. Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald was keenly aware of the anticipated increase in settlement on the prairies, and the impact of the building of the railroad. Some time prior, he had discussed the need for a temporary police force to assist with settlement and the expansion of the North-West Territories.

3

K Troop by treeline
18 May 2003
Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta

4

However, it was not until he heard the news about an entire village of Assiniboine Indians being murdered by American wolfers that the force was organized and became a reality. On May 23rd 1873, Parliament passed an act ‘to provide a mounted police force for the North-West Territories'.

5

The March North Leaving Fort Ellice
6 March 2004
Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta

6

Finally, on August 30th 1873, orders were given to organize the troops. One group gathered at Fort Garry in Manitoba and headed for Fort Dufferin where they join a second group of recruits.

This gathering is the only time in history that the original recruits of the North-West Mounted Police force were together at one place.

After wintering at Fort Dufferin, the group proceeded westward with the goal of establishing the presence of a mounted force at Fort Whoop-Up and then head north to Fort Edmonton.

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The March North Roche Percee
1874
Roche Percee

8

When the group reached Roche Percee, Colonel French noticed definite signs of deterioration within the group, its horses and supplies. It was at this point that he reassessed the situation and ordered the split of the original group.

Sergeant-Major Sam Steele accompanied Lieutenant Inspector D. W. Jarvis and they took a small group of men, horses, and wagons and traveled north through Fort Ellice to establish headquarters at Fort Edmonton.

9

Sir John A. Macdonald's reign

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The Lawless West Sir John A. Macdonald
1867
Ottawa, Ontario

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In 1867, Sir John A. Macdonald became the first Prime Minister of the Dominion of Canada. He was a man of vision with ambitious goals to unite the vast regions of Upper Canada and the North-West Territories.

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Sir John A. Macdonald C 002090
1877

Credits:
Notman and Son
Nat'l Archives of Canada

13

Sir John A. Macdonald envisioned settlement and expansion through peaceful and law-abiding relations, and was influential in the founding of the North-West Mounted Police force.

In 1873, Parliament passed an act to provide a policing service to the Dominion of Canada, but the act was not prompted until after the Cypress Hills Massacre.

14

The Lawless West Parliament Drawings
1840