The City of North Battleford is in Treaty 6 Territory, in the heartland of the Métis. A vibrant community that draws visitors, shoppers, and facility users from all over northwest Saskatchewan, the City of North Battleford is home to thriving local businesses and world-class recreational amenities. The gateway to northwest Saskatchewan, North Battleford is situated in an outdoor recreation enthusiast's paradise - close proximity to Saskatchewan's premiere Ski Hill Table Mountain, Battlefords Provincial Park, with incredible lakes within nearby driving distance. North Battleford is the seventh largest city in the province and is directly across the North Saskatchewan River from the Town of Battleford. Together, the two communities are known as "The Battlefords" and strong regional partnerships have been developed between the municipalities and neighbouring First Nations communities in the area. North Battleford also borders the Rural Municipality of North Battleford No. 437, and within North Battleford City limits is an unusual feature - Canada's only remaining Crown Colony, the North Battleford Crown Colony (census subdivision). The Battlefords are served by the Yellowhead Highway and Highway 4, Highway 26, Highway 29, and Highway 40. History For thousands of years prior to European settlement, succeeding cultures of indigenous peoples lived in the area. The Battlefords area (including the present city of North Battleford and town of Battleford) was home to several historic indigenous groups, including the Algonquian-speaking Cree and Blackfeet as well as Siouan Assiniboine First Nation band governments, who contested for control of local resources. Early European settlement began as a result of fur trading by French colonists in the late 18th century. The Canadians founded Fort Montaigne d'Aigle (Eagle Hills Fort) nine miles below the confluence of the Saskatchewan and Battle Rivers in 1778. A year later the fort was abandoned following conflict between traders and natives. Permanent European settlement in the area centred around the town of Battleford, founded 1875 and located on the south side of the North Saskatchewan River. Battleford served as capital of the North-West Territories between 1876 and 1883. In 1905, the construction of the Canadian Northern Railway main line to Edmonton placed the line on the north side of the North Saskatchewan River. North Battleford, built along the railway line, was incorporated as a village in 1906, as a town in 1907, and as a city (with a population of 5,000) in 1913. The Assyrians were one of the first settlers of the