Siksika Nation Winter Count
28/09/2007 (Prepared and researched by Mervin J. Wolfleg)
Siksika Wintercount 1800 – 1900 c.e. (19th Century)
Buffalo: Siksika
1800: 45-60M 18,000
1807: Old Sun born
1836: Crowfoot born (Old Sun ca 29)
1838: Smallpox epidemic – 6,000 die 12,000
1843: Wars with Cree, Assiniboine and whites 8,000. Forced south of Red Deer River.
1854: Wars with Sarcee, Crow, Snakes (2x); famine 6,000
1855: Yellow River Treaty with U.S.A.
1860: (ca 54)
1861: Old Sun’s father dies (also called Old Sun)
1864: Small pox epidemic
1869: End of small pox epidemic 15 million 4,000
1870: US Army massacre 700 Piegan at Montana – mostly women and children. Siksika leave USA territory. Confederacy split for first time.
1871: (ca 65) (ca 36)
1872: Chief Big Swan dies. Old Sun and Crowfoot 7 million. Become head chiefs of North Blackfoot and South Blackfoot, respectively.
1874: North West Mounted Police enter Confederacy
1876: Sioux fight US Calvary at Little Big Horn.
1877: Blackfoot signs Treaty #7 with Queen
1878: Prairie fires; buffalo is scarce
1879: Famine 2,000
1880: No buffalo. Siksika go to USA to search
1883: Canadian Pacific Railroad built.
1884: Famine
1885: Riel’s Metis and Crees fight British.
1890: Chief Crowfoot dies. (ca.54) 1,000 500. Siksika returns from USA.
1897: Chief Old Sun dies. (c.a 90)