User:Kailey Guillemin/sandbox

Historical Background to 1880
For Saskatchewan, Willow Bunch has the title as one of the oldest settlements established. Founded in 1870 by variety of groups of Metis hunters and settlers, Willow Bunch has strong historical connections with Red River Metis. Later on, Jean-Louis Legare would migrate from Manitoba to Willow bunch, where he played a lead role in early Willow Bunch history.

In the mid-1800s, those who were living in Manitoba's Red River area were succumbing to the harsh climate and living conditions. Bison were becoming scarce due to over hunting in their area. Work was more difficult to find since the merging of the Hudson's Bay Company and the Northwest Company in 1821. Along with pests, frosts and droughts which led to lower crop harvests, over-population of the Metis people were a part of the uneasy living conditions. This led to the Metis migrating somewhere else to settle.

The Metis had to stay close to the bison; which meant they were to move west of Red River. Places like Saint Joseph's North Dakota became established winter places that the Metis would go to. Later, declining buffalo herds led to the Metis migrating farther and farther away. In the 1860s, living conditions, including crop conditions, were so severe that the Hudson's Bay Company had to step in to help avoid starvation.

Later, the Red River Metis moved towards what is now southern Saskatchewan after the Red River Uprising in 1869. This led to the first Metis settlement establihsed, called La Coulee Chapelle, which is St. Victor today (l;ocated about 19km west of Willow Bunch). Before this uprising, areas like Wood Mountain, Eastend and Cypress Hills were palces that Metis would migrate to.

After this settlement, George Fisher, who was commissioned by the Metis in Manitoba, set out to explore the land around the area. He was to report back on the conditions of the land. Fisher found that this new land was abundant with other animals besides buffalo to hunt, like mule and white tail deer, pronghorn antelope and elk. He also noted that there were more than just animals to hunt. Other food like wild sasaktoons, chokecherries and strawberries were in the area. There were also protection from the rolling hills, springs and creeks that other lands did not have. This exploration led to the development of a new settlement, La Montagne de Bois, which is today known as Willow Bunch, Saskatchewan. It is said that Andre Gaudry was one of the first settlers in the area. Willow Bunch was part of a district known as Montagne de Bois, or Wood Mountain.