The Canadian Prairies and Plains was populated over time by six major waves of immigration throughout history. The first migration came from Asia around 13,000 years ago. This would be the indigenous population of about 20,000 to 50,000 in the 1640's. These people were nomadic hunters, and lived in small groups along the dark area high-lighted on the map to the right. There were different types of groups; buffalo-hunting groups, groups that hunted for fish and other animals, caribou hunting groups, along with groups that acquired other resources from the tundra and northern forests. It is believed that the Indigenous people did practice some agriculture between the 600-800's.
The second wave occurred between 1640 and 1840, thousands of Canadian and European fur traders, along with hundreds of immigrants from Britain settled the area. This created many changes for the Indigenous people. Such changes included, the relocation of hunting bands, new diplomatic arrangements, and infectious diseases never known to the Indigenous people (smallpox). This disease caused epidemics that wiped out entire bands. By the 19th century the population of the indigenous people had greatly reduced. The loss of the bison was great tragedy to their economy. The push for Canadian expansion also played a major part in dwindling their numbers. In the 1870's, seven treaties were signed between the Canadian government and the Indigenous people, now knows as the First Nations. The First Nations exchanged sovereignty over land. They wanted assistance with economy, education and asked for the creation of reserves. After a few decades, the First Nations were wards of the state.
During this time period dozens of small British outposts were established along with the Red River Colony which was a European-style settlement. Some of the British immigrants mixed with the Indigenous people creating was is known as the Métis people within the Red River Colony.
The fur trade was the major cause of European colonization of Canada into the western interior. There was much pressure due to competition between the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company to expand. Eventually competition became the two became so violent that it was decided their best option would be to merge the two companies. This occurred during the 1670's into 1821.
The third wave took place between 1840's and 1890's. This wave brought was caused by the immigration of British Canadians. During this time the Red River Colony was a major component for flourishing fur trade operations. By the mid-century this would all change. Canadian government wanted to pushed for sovereignty for Rupert's Land (owned by the fur trade company), and the eventually won after the Red River Resistance that occurred between 1869 and 1870. This gave way to the Confederation establishing the province of Manitoba.
This was only the beginning of Canada's development. The Prime Minister Sir John A. MacDonald and the federal government worked together to create a new policy framework for the western interior development. Between 1870 and 1874, the square survey, the North-West Mounted Police, along with policies for homesteading and immigration recruitment activities wold reshape the area for the next two generations. In 1879-1880, the decisions on tariff policy and the creation of the Canadian Pacific Railway would be the next big boom to hit Canada. The Great Prairies and Plains became Canada's agricultural land.
The region became a Protestant, English-speaking, British society after the defeat of the Métis and First Nations by the Canadian government in 1885, along with the creation of the Manitoba School Act and the anti-French-language legislation that passed in 1890.
The largest wave was the fourth, and this took place during 1897 and 1929. These immigrants came from a mixture of nations, but mainly Europe. Saskatchewan and Alberta were established in 1905. It seemed the British had finally stopped their expansion and were settled. However, up-rise occurred after the migration of thousands of non-British immigrants into the Great Plains and Prairies took place within the next few decades. Most of these immigrants did not fight against the already established culture in Canada, but instead fused with it. Only a few minorities worked to keep some of their cultural heritage, but by the 1950's, the region was still more of a British Canadian model.
Between the fourth and fifth wave there came a minor struggle between the classes. Those of the poor lower class struggling for fair treatment with the rich upper class. This struggle was placed no the back burner of Great Plains and Prairies problems when, in 1930, more devastating problems occurred such as the Great Depression, a drought (Dust Bowl), the international trade crisis, the declines in commodity price, and the disappearance of local investment. The economy didn't improve see improvement until the 1940's.
The discovery of oil, potash, uranium, and other minerals turned the economy around. The industrial age began, and improvements to agriculture created better lives for the people in the Great Plains and Prairies.
The fifth wave came mainly from other provinces of Canada and Europe. After WWII, more Europeans were fleeing Europe for safer ground. Many moved into the large prairie cities of Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg. This helped establish a new ethnic consciousness and pride in the western interior by creating a multicultural prairie society. This led to the redesign of the Canadian immigration policy in the 1960's. This wave continues today, but has fluctuated throughout the years.
The sixth wave began in the 1970's with people coming in from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Middle East, Central and South America. Others came from northern Canada. This caused another reshaping of the society within the prairie region creating more conflict and a demand for new thinking that continues today.