Fort Whoop-up and Fort Macleod

Photo: Fort Whoop-up, University of Calgary

In 1869, the nation of Canada was two years old. BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba were still part of the Northwest Territory.

In Europe, the declining popularity of beaver hats was slowing the fur trade. The main American fur company had collapsed in 1864.

In the spring of 1869, Canadian fur barons negotiated the sale of the British-granted "lands draining into Hudson's Bay," Rupert's Land, to the Canadian government for $1.5 million dollars.

In Montana, ex-fur traders had another money-making idea. They moved north and built a whiskey post on the Oldman River, where the Alberta town of Lethbridge now stands. There they prepared to sell liquor and firearms to the local native people at a handsome profit. The ensuing trouble was critical in the government's decision to establish a national police force.

Aboriginal lifestyles had been severely disrupted by the arrival of Europeans. The buffalo on which they had long depended were dying out, and European diseases had decimated their populations. The whiskey post at Fort Whoop-up was another in a long list of disasters.

The newly constituted North West Mounted Police force was dispatched on horseback in 1873. After an arduous journey, they arrived the following year. The fort they built was named after the Assistant Commissioner, James Macleod. Their assignment was to establish law and order, gain the trust of native people, and enforce a prohibition on alcohol. They were also asked to collect customs dues, to prove Canada owned the territory. 

At Fort Macleod, the first "redcoats" carried out their riding demonstration in 1876. Now known as the RCMP Musical ride, this well-known Canadian ceremony can be witnessed daily in its birthplace at the Fort between July 1 and Labour Day. (Photo: Parks Canada). 

In a 1969 broadcast, a 109-year old veteran recalled his life with the early NWMP. The interview is available on CBC (digital archives).