The Story of the Alberta Women's Institute

              THE

STORY

OF

THE

ALBERTA

WOMEN'S

INSTIT'l;TES

where before the Council Tent of the paleface officials and representatives of the Great Queen Mother, the Peace Treaty was signed beneath their great red totem, the Union Jack, which the Indians firmly believed protected their white brethren from all harm-just as did their own tribal totems flying from the standards before their painted ceremonial teepees. The palefaces had reason to think so too, else how could a mere handful of white people, only 100 in all, remain unscathed in the midst of 4,000 savages, with discontent, jealousy, barbarity, seething in their hearts and thirsting for expression in fierce rebellion and bloody massacre. Five white women accompanied their husbands on this perilous occasion of the treaty signing. They were: Mrs. Macleod, wife of Col. J. F. Macleod. Mrs. Winder. wife of Capt. Winder; Mrs. Shurtcliffe. wife of Lt. Shurtcliffe, all of North West Mounted Police: }Irs. McDougall, wife of the pioneer missionary; and Mrs. Hardisty. \vhose husband was Chief Factor of the Hudson's Bay Company. longestablished traders of the North West Territories. The courage of these women equalled the bravery of their husbands. Encircled by whooping, gloating, frenzied red fiends armed and firing off their guns from pure deviltry, to test the mettle of the palefaces. to shatter. if possible, their strained nerves-one sign of fear-ane! sa vagery had been triumphant! But outstanding amidst the savage horde was Crowfoot. the noble Blackfoot chieftain, who talked to them and restrained them from evildoing. A noble figure, he stood before his people in ceremonial attire, and addressed the assembly with eloquence and force. Turning to the representatives of the N.W.M.P., he regarded them as the Indian's best friend, for they had protected his people from the whiskey traders who were demoralizing the redmen . . . "as the feathers of the bird protect it from the cold and snow," Crowfoot spoke. . . "f am satisfied. I will sign!" And thus the day was saved for that little band of palefaces, and the country from lawlessness and savagery. to become one of the fairest provinces of the Dominion. The Institute members brought rocks from their home places and on that sacred spot where the Peace Treaty was signed, they built a cairn in honor of the memory of those who participated in that momentous occasion of fifty years before.
Lo

INDIAN
.

WOMEN'S

HOMEMAKERS'

CLUBS

for the second annual convention of the Indian Women's Homemakers' Clubs. Western Division. It was the first convention of its kind to be held in Alberta. They met at the Crowfoot HalL Blackfoot Heserve. Glcichen. on -- 45 -

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event.