”Fort Spitzee
TERRY WINTER, 1993
In the late 1800s, many whiskey traders from south of the border came to southern
Alberta and set up trading forts, where they exchanged liquor, arms and ammunition
for furs and buffalo hides. There were several forts on the Sheep and Highwood Rivers,
but the largest was Fort Spitzee. There were at least two other posts also known
as ‘Spitzee’. These posts proved to be disastrous for the First Nations people.”
Source: High River Murals Walking Tour
Fort Spitzee
Artist: Terry Winter
1993
“Bad men and whiskey were killing us to fast that very few of us would have been alive today. The Mounted Police have protected us as the feathers of the bird protect it from frots of winter…I will sign the Treaty.” Chief Crowfoot. 1877 said, anticipating arrival of the Northwest Mounted Police.
Fort Spitzee had been destroyed by whiskey traders in 1874.
Mural Funded by
Beef N Brew
Long River Restaurant
South Fork
Kenmar Do-It Centre
Benjamin Moore Paints
CTAP Grant – Alberta Lotteries
Transcribed from plaque.