The region’s history is rich with stories of the Indigenous peoples who lived here for thousands of years before settlement, and of the Métis families who operated Red River cart brigades to support the fur trade. More recent narratives come from the immigrants who arrived to start new lives on farms and in towns that developed after the railway was built. Remnants of these early communities can be found in our local museums and art galleries, on building murals, cairns, and even in the ghost structures still visible today.
The Town of Cut Knife, established in 1912, was named after the largest hill in the area, visible to the south. According to legend, in the 1840s, the Cree and the Tsuut’ina (then known as the Sarcee) were battling for dominance. A Tsuut’ina chief named Broken Knife was defeated, but his bravery so impressed the Cree that they named the hill in his honor. Over time, Broken Knife became known as Cut Knife in English. This hill was also the site of a battle during the 1885 North-West Resistance, and many of the town’s street names are derived from this event. Today, the hill is also referred to as Broken Knife’s Lookout or Chief Poundmaker Hill.
For a deeper exploration of Cut Knife's history, we recommend visiting the Clayton McLain Memorial Museum in Tomahawk Park. The museum, which features a heritage village, themed exhibits, and archives, is a proud member of the Museums Association of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Council for Archives and Archivists. These organizations support local museums and archives by providing training and resources for preserving artifacts and archival materials.

Type of Data Point - Website/Blog Post

History - Town of Cut Knife

Visit page of City/Town - Cut Knife

Inserted: 10-09-2024 22:09:56