In the book
Whoop-Up Country, Paul Sharp discusses the Whoop-Up trail that led from northern Montana to Alberta, Canada. This trail was commonly used for trade purposes around the late 19Th century. The trail starting around Fort Benton Montana to Fort McCloud, Alberta. The book compares and analyses the differences in the frontier between Canada and America. It also shows how American events effected both Frontiers, especially in northern Montana. One common factor both nations shared, was the cultural genocide that Native Americans/First Nations people had to endure. Also, the two Plains frontiers also had to eventually make the transition from a trading society to secular farming society. The book was really interesting, for the time the book was written in, Whoop-Up country seemed to be fairly impartial. One funny portion is the description of the Canadian Mounties, whenever I think of Canadian Mounties it is usually of Dudley Do Right.
The sale of alcohol to Native Americans, was a universal practice that was effective to an extent. The sad portion of this history is that American Indians were seemingly addicted to alcohol, and like an addict they needed their fix. The book was good, not great, some of the small stories were boring to read; but without a doubt the section on the Cypress Hills Massacre was the best portion in the book, for me.
posted by Fred M. #
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