​The Métis, Cree, and Ojibwe people of the prairies were affiliated and associated into various multi-cultural “brigades” or bands throughout the 1800s.  The use of the term brigade was derived from the old French term ‘brigare’ and was in customary use by Métis people during the fur trade period. The use of the term “band” was also used – especially in cases where the leadership or the larger majority of band members was considered (more or less) Indian.  Some of the bands active in the northern Great Plains included, but were not limited to:

​Half-breeds encamped near St. John last night and raided the town. They looted the hardware store of Town Trader Brooks, securing 10 guns, 2 revolvers, 100 loaded shells, 8 kegs of powder, and a large quantity of shot. There were sixty in the party. The half-breeds have sent their children across the Manitoba line, and their encampment at Langan's place is reported to be in a strong state of defense. There are 400 half-breeds and Indians in camp at Langan’s, led by the worst element of the half-breeds.
  
Little Thunder (Red Thunder) is as intemperate in his speeches as ever. Several families of settlers at and near St. John went south to Rolla this morning for protection. The excitement here is intense and serious trouble is now apparently certain. 

​Marshal Cronan, with his posse of fifteen Deputies, arrived here at 11 A. M., but there was not a half-breed 1n sight then. Major Ralph Hall, Indian Agent at Fort Totten, arrived at Church's Ferry yesterday and accompanies the posse. He thinks he can keep the Turtle Mountain Reservation Indians quiet, leaving the Deputies to cope with the Canadian Indians and half-breeds. The posse will try to arrest the Iangrins and Dameraux half-breeds, who are wanted for cutting Government timber. The Deputies do not expect to be able to make the arrests without the aid of troops.