Battle of Cut Knife
May 2, 1885
Kamiokisihkwew, Kah-Me-Yo-Ki-Sick-Way, "Fine Day" or Fine-Day, Battleford, Sask. 1896. Public Domain
From Canadian Encyclopedia: On 2 May 1885, during the North-West Resistance, Cree and Nakota (Assiniboine) resistors defeated 300 soldiers commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel William Otter at the Battle of Cut Knife. Using a limited number of men, Chief Fine Day (kâ-miyokîsihkwêw) virtually surrounded and pinned down Otter's force on an exposed plain. After six hours of fighting, Otter retreated as pîhtokahânapiwiyin (Chief Poundmaker) held the warriors back. Eight of Otter's force died.
This attack by soldiers was in response to the looting of Battleford by pîhtokahânapiwiyin and other Cree and Nakota people to get rations badly needed during a famine. Prior to the looting, pîhtokahânapiwiyin had requested a meeting with the Indian Agent who refused. During the looting, the townspeople and North-West Mounted Police just hid inside of their fort.
This attack by soldiers was in response to the looting of Battleford by pîhtokahânapiwiyin and other Cree and Nakota people to get rations badly needed during a famine. Prior to the looting, pîhtokahânapiwiyin had requested a meeting with the Indian Agent who refused. During the looting, the townspeople and North-West Mounted Police just hid inside of their fort.