| Summary: | Father George Belcourt The town of Belcourt was named for the French missionary, Father George Belcourt who labored among the Saulteaux (Chippewa), Cree and mixed blood Indians for nearly thirty years, June 1st, 1831 to March, 1859. Father Belcourt whose headquarters was Pembina, accompanied the hunting parties on their semi-annual bison hunts. These trips, originating in the Pembina and Red River territory, many times took them through the Turtle Mountain area. The spot where Belcourt is now located was a favorite stopping place for Father Belcourt and the hunting party. Since there was already here a small settlement of people who had left Canada and Pembina and who were relatives and friends of the Pembina and Red River hunters, this became a good place for them to spend a few days to rest and refresh themselves as they headed westward or southward in search of the buffalo. While here Father Belcourt said Mass, heard confessions, performed marriages and baptisms and even had catechism classes. He endeared himself to the people and was looked upon by the Metis and Indian people as a protector, advisor and friend. They had a high regard and respect for him and honored him by naming their village after him. Father Belcourt's history will be written in a separate section of this book. Belcourt began as a meeting place and campsite of the Chippewa, Cree and Metis peoples. Geographic location, landscape, wood and water resources no doubt had a lot to do with its selection as a favorite camping and gathering place. It is located in a somewhat flat valley in a setting of native oak, poplar, ash, elm, willow and birch trees nestled in a few small hills with flat prairie directly south and rolling hills to the west and southwest. It is bordered on the north by a thickly wooded wilderness where several small lakes are scattered among the trees. Fish swam in the small creek which ran through the village and a large beautiful lake, Fish Lake or Belcourt Lake, was located a few miles to the north. These water sources no doubt were watering places for the wild animals and game which provided the meat supply for the villagers. All varieties of wild berries grew profusely and the abundance of trees were a protection from the cold north winds and provided logs for building of the first log cabins on the reservation and firewood for heating and cooking. Father John Malo The exact date of the naming of this small village as "Belcourt" is not recorded. The village was in existence as a campsite when Father Belcourt traveled through here between 1840 and 1859. In his writings he referred to it as the Turtle Mountains. It was in existence before the establishment of the Turtle Mountain Reservation by Executive Order of the President in 1882 and prior to the coming of the first resident priest, Father Malo, who first stopped here in 1882. It is known that it was named after Father Belcourt left and could have been sometime between 1860 to 1882. Belcourt has the distinction of being one of the earliest settlements in the state of North Dakota. It is the only town within the boundaries of the Turtle Mountain Reservation. Since its beginning Belcourt has served as the center for religious, business, tribal and recreational activities of the reservation and surrounding community. In the early 1880's the first tribal council was formed at Belcourt with Chief Little Shell as the tribal leader. Religious and tribal gatherings and Catholic masses were held in homes and campgrounds of Belcourt long before other activities and functions began. Mr. John B. Vondal was allotted the remaining 120 acres in the SE1/,, Section 20, T. 162, R. 70, between the agency reserve and St. Ann's Catholic Church land. All of the residential and businesses of South Belcourt are now located on this land. Because of the choice location people began buying lots from Mr. Vondal for business and residential use. Mr. Vondal did not engage the services of a 139 Scanned with a Zeutschel Zeta book scanner at 300 dpi. Edited with Multi-Page TIFF Editor.
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