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The
Red Lake Falls area has a rich and varied history in which the Red Lake and Clearwater
Rivers have played a central role. These rivers provided the proper habitat for a wide range
of wildlife. Over 200 years ago this wildlife attracted the Chippewa (Ojibwa) Indians from
the Great Lakes region who were following the fur trade business west. By 1798, Jean Baptiste
Cadotte had established a trading post near the junction of the two rivers in the present-day site
of Sportsmen's Park in Red Lake Falls
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As oxcarts began crossing the area while transporting
goods between St. Paul and Selkirk or River Colony (Winnipeg), the
"old crossing" of the Red River near Huot became a place
of historical importance. At this site in 1863, a peace treaty
was signed between the Red Lake and Pembina bands of the Chippewa
Indians and the U.S. Government. This treaty ceded to the
United States nearly 11 million acres of some of the most fertile
land in the world. |
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In 1876 the famous metis guide, Pierre Bottineau,
brought the first settlers to the area, 119 families of French-Canadian descent, who
founded the towns of Red Lake Falls and Gentilly. Settlers of
European descent followed, attracted to the same waters that
attracted the Indians and trappers before them. Newspaper of the
time advertised the abundant supply of water power provided by the
two rivers. |
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Taken from a Red Lake Falls Visitor Information guide.
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