Canyon Creek History
On September 13, 1877, after nearly three months of flight from Idaho, the nimíipuu faced Colonel Samuel Sturgis and his cavalry at Canyon Creek. In a brilliant delaying action, the warriors held the high ground and slowed the pursuit, buying precious time for families to escape toward Canada.
The Surprise
After leaving Yellowstone National Park, the nimíipuu camped on grassy flats along Canyon Creek, believing General Howard was still weeks behind them. But Colonel Samuel Sturgis and the 7th Cavalry were closing fast. That morning, warriors discovered the approaching soldiers just as the families were breaking camp. The alert came just in time—if the army had caught them unprepared, the consequences would have been devastating.
The Battle: September 13, 1877
Warriors raced to the high ground overlooking the creek. When soldiers advanced up the slopes, the nimíipuu delivered rapid fire from advantageous positions, forcing the cavalry to dismount and fight on foot. For hours, the warriors held the bluffs and ridges, methodically falling back only when necessary. With each withdrawal, they bought more time for the main body to move north. By afternoon, the major fighting had ended and the nimíipuu continued toward Montana.
The Cost of Lost Horses
Though the warriors kept soldiers away from the camp, some horses were lost to the cavalry—either captured or scattered. The nimíipuu accounts speak of this as a serious blow. The remaining animals had to work harder, reducing the pace of travel. Some historians believe this loss contributed directly to their later capture at Bear Paw, just weeks away. One warrior, Tookleiks (Fish Trap), was killed during the battle—the only casualty the nimíipuu acknowledged, though he was shot by Crow scouts allied with the army.
Warrior Accounts
Yellow Wolf, a young warrior during the flight, remembered the moment of discovery: "I saw soldiers near and across the valley from us. The traveling camp had nearly been surprised." The rapid response of the scouts and the warriors' knowledge of the terrain made the difference between victory and tragedy. The nimíipuu had been traveling for three months through difficult country, exhausted but determined. At Canyon Creek, their skill as warriors and their deep knowledge of the landscape helped them survive yet another crisis.