Cree Tribe of North America
The Cree, one of the most populous and widely dispersed Native American groups in North America, boast a rich and dynamic history that spans centuries. Their story is one of adaptation, resilience, and profound connection to the land. From their origins in the woodlands of present-day Canada to their presence on the Great Plains, the Cree have left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of the continent.
Origins and Nomenclature
The name "Cree" is believed to have originated from the French term "Kristineaux" or the abbreviated "Kri," bestowed upon them by French fur traders who encountered them in the early days of European exploration. This designation, however, only scratches the surface of the Cree people’s identity and heritage.
Geographical Distribution and Subdivisions
Originally inhabitants of Manitoba, Canada, the Cree people eventually branched out, with one group migrating southwestward to embrace a buffalo-hunting lifestyle. These became known as the Plains Cree, ranging from the vicinity of Lake Superior westward into northern Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana.
This geographical division led to the development of distinct cultural practices and adaptations. The Woodland Cree, residing in the forested regions of Canada, maintained a lifestyle centered on hunting, fishing, and gathering. Meanwhile, the Plains Cree, adapting to the open grasslands, became skilled horsemen and bison hunters, playing a significant role in the economy and social dynamics of the Great Plains.
Social Structure and Organization
Traditionally, the Cree lived as hunter-gatherers, organizing themselves into lodges consisting of several groups that moved and hunted together. Within each lodge were smaller family units, typically comprising 8-12 individuals, who shared a wigwam or tipi as their dwelling. These lodges were part of larger bands, which could easily form and dissolve based on circumstances.
The flexibility of this social structure allowed for adaptability and resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions or interpersonal conflicts. While disagreements could lead to the departure of lodges from bands, the need for security and cooperation ensured that departing lodges quickly sought affiliation with other bands.
Intermarriage between neighboring bands fostered kinship ties and facilitated cooperation in hunting and social activities. Although each band maintained its independence, they often united when confronted with external threats, appointing a temporary military commander known as an "okimahkan," or war chief, to lead them in battle.
Early Encounters with Europeans
The Cree’s first recorded contact with Europeans occurred in 1682, when a Hudson’s Bay Company expedition reached the mouth of the Nelson and Hayes Rivers in northern Manitoba, Canada, venturing approximately 100 miles inland. Subsequent contact was made in 1732 with southern bands in northwestern Ontario when Pierre Gaultier de Varennes encountered a gathering of 200 Cree warriors and members of the Monsoni tribe, a branch of the Ojibwe (Chippewa), near present-day Fort Frances. At that time, the Indian groups were wearing war paint and preparing to attack the Dakota Sioux and another group of Ojibwe Indians.
These early encounters marked the beginning of a complex relationship between the Cree and European colonizers, characterized by trade, alliance, and conflict.
The Fur Trade and its Impact
The acquisition of firearms from the Hudson’s Bay Company significantly altered the Cree’s way of life, with many transitioning into middlemen in the burgeoning fur trade. Renowned for their friendliness toward fur traders, the Cree’s history became intertwined with that of the Hudson’s Bay Company and the North West Company.
The fur trade brought about profound social and economic changes, influencing settlement patterns, intertribal relations, and cultural practices. Many Cree individuals intermarried with French and later Scottish settlers, giving rise to a mixed-blood population known as the Metis, who played a vital role in the fur trade and the development of Western Canada.
Adaptation and Transformation on the Great Plains
While the Woodland Cree in northern Canada remained relatively insulated from the initial influx of European settlers, the Plains Cree underwent a significant transformation, embracing the "horse culture" of the Plains Indians and becoming skilled bison hunters.
In alliance with the Assiniboine and the Saulteaux, the Plains Cree formed the "Iron Confederacy," a formidable force in the North American fur trade from the 1730s to the 1870s. This alliance allowed them to exert considerable influence over trade routes, resource distribution, and intertribal relations.
Displacement and Resistance
Over time, the relentless expansion of European settlements and the depletion of buffalo herds forced the Plains Cree to relocate to reservations and adopt farming as a means of sustenance. In Canada, the Metis and Cree engaged in armed resistance against Canadian government forces as the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railroad encroached upon their ancestral lands. Despite their valiant efforts, they were ultimately defeated in 1885.
The Cree Today
Today, the Cree constitute one of the largest groups of First Nations in Canada, with over 350,000 individuals claiming Cree ancestry. Their language remains one of the most widely spoken indigenous languages in North America, serving as a testament to their cultural resilience.
In the United States, the majority of Cree people reside in Montana, where they share the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation with the Ojibwe people. Others inhabit the Fort Peck Indian Reservation and the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, also located in Montana.
The Rocky Boy Reservation, nestled in the rolling foothills and plains of the Bear Paw Mountains in north-central Montana, encompasses approximately 128,000 acres. It serves as home to 55% of the approximately 6,500 enrolled Chippewa & Cree tribal members. The tribe identifies itself as "Ne Hiyawak," meaning "those who speak the same language." The name "Rocky Boy" is derived from a leader of a band of Chippewa Indians. The reservation’s economy is primarily based on agriculture and livestock. The tribe celebrates Rocky Boy’s Pow Wow annually in August, honoring their heritage and traditions.
Further Information
- The Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation
PO Box 544
96 Clinic Road North
Box Elder, Montana 59521
406-395-5705
The Cree people’s story is one of adaptation, resilience, and enduring cultural identity. From their origins in the woodlands to their presence on the Great Plains, they have navigated profound social, economic, and environmental changes while preserving their language, traditions, and connection to the land. Their story serves as a testament to the strength and perseverance of indigenous peoples in the face of adversity.