Alberta Bits Article spring 2012

Riders of Alberta’s Proud Past

The Steele’s Scouts Commemorative Militia Cavalry (The Troop) celebrates it’s 35th year in 2012. In 1977 a group of men with a keen interest in early Western Canadian history and wanting to do more with their horses formed the Troop which has been judged historically correct to 1885 as to uniform and drill. For more on the Scout’s history, visit the website www.steelescouts.ca.

Steele’s Scouts history:  In 1885, the Northwest Rebellion was underway in northern Saskatchewan.  Chief Big Bear and his Plains Cree native warriors had joined with Louis Riel’s Metis in an uprising against the Government of Canada. A militia was raised, called the Alberta Field Force.

The original Steele’s Scouts were a group of men who, in 1885, volunteered to join the Alberta Field Force to defend Alberta against the rebels.  Samuel Steele was at the time an Inspector with the Northwest Mounted Police (NWMP), stationed in British Columbia.  On his return to Alberta with his 25 member detachment of NWMP who were enforcing the law along the railroad, then under construction.  In southern Alberta, he set about convincing local ranchers, cowboys and retired NWMP to join him.  These men were to become the Scouting squad, cavalry section of the Alberta Field Force.

The Scouts were often referred to as Cowboy Cavalry, Ranch Cavalry or Buckskin Cavalry.

The Alberta Field Force marched to Edmonton.  Upon arrival, they found that Edmonton was not in fact threatened.  The Force then continued the march to northern Saskatchewan where they engaged Big Bear and Riel’s forces at Frenchman Butte and Loon Lake.  There was a subsequent epic chase of Big Bear by Steele’s Scouts.

Today the Troop’s home station is at Spruce Meadows and appears in many parades including a record setting 35th  appearance in the Stampede Parade. The Troop also performs cavalry drills and skill-at arms which includes “tent pegging” with lances, balloon pistol shooting. Over the past 35 years the Troop has re-enacted all of the original Marches of 1885 and three times to Fort Benton, Montana and participated in events at the Military Museum. We have over 30 active riders. Regular practices occur at Spruce Meadows in the spring. Each member must have his own horse and transportation. Some of the uniform is available from Stores. A buckskin jacket and Winchester carbine are required. More detail is included in our brochure on the website www.steelescouts.ca.

Recruits are welcome and wanted, so if you have an interest in Western Canadian history, want to improve your horsemanship and have some time to commit then joining Steele’s Scouts maybe for you.

Article by Rob Orser, Sgt.