The Bloody Falls massacre represents a pivotal moment during Samuel Hearne's Arctic overland journey. As a vital guide, Matonabbee, a chief of the Chipewyan tribe, played an essential role in navigating the challenges of the harsh northern landscape. While Hearne aimed to establish trade with the Inuit and explore new territories, the dynamics between Indigenous groups in the region were complex and often fraught with tension. On July 17, 1771, as they reached the formidable Bloody Falls on the Coppermine River, Matonabbee decided to ambush a group of Inuit who were camped along the banks. The decision was driven by the underlying conflicts over resources and territorial disputes, and Matonabbee's actions reflected the harsh realities of survival and power among Indigenous peoples in Canada.

The encounter was executed with brutal precision, resulting in numerous deaths among the Inuit. This incident was not only significant as part of Hearne's exploration but served to illustrate the violent interactions that could arise under the pressures of competition and survival. The site of Bloody Falls became notorious as the scene of this massacre, serving as a reminder of the complex relationships and rivalries that existed among the Indigenous tribes of the Canadian Arctic. Hearne documented this event in his accounts, which later influenced European perceptions of Indigenous peoples and their struggles during the colonial expansion into North America.