Alison Gale's Report
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Alison Gale's Report
Name of document:
Report on the Red Sky Métis Independent Nation™ (The Historical Ancestral Indigenous Métis First Families of Upper Canada), commonly referred to by RSMIN as Alison Gale's Report
Type of document:
Historical Report
Summary of the data:
Alison Gale’s report on the Red Sky Métis Independent Nation™ (RSMIN) relies on both primary and secondary sources, including Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) Records, records of the Department of Indian Affairs, records from the Ontario Archives and Census of Canada records. Additionally, Gale uses her 1998 report, Robinson Treaty Métis – Historical Report for information regarding the Métis involvement in the Robinson-Superior Treaty, 1850. The report is divided into five sections, which outline the historical and legal (as outlined by R.v. Powley) justifications for RSMIN’s claim to Métis Aboriginal harvesting and hunting rights in the Robinson-Superior Treaty, 1850 area. The report also examines RSMIN as a distinctive Métis community with a continuing presence in the Robinson-Superior Treaty, 1850 area.
The first section of Gale’s report examines the history of the Métis in the Lake Superior region and aims to demonstrate the presence of a distinctive Métis community in the Lake Superior area before European control of the land (i.e. prior to the Robinson-Superior Treaty, 1850). According to Gale, in the eighteenth century intermarriage was an integral part of the fur trade. After 1714 the French trading posts in the Lake Superior area included Kaministiquia (later Fort William) and Fort Nipigon. Gale notes, using the work of Jacqueline Peterson, that these two forts are the traditional residences of the families of the RSMIN. The Métis communities located at these forts depended on hunting, trapping and fishing for subsistence. According to Gale, after 1815 there is concrete evidence of a 150-year alliance between French fur traders and Aboriginal women in the Lake Superior region. The Métis in this region developed a unique identity based on their role as ‘middle-men’ of the fur trading business and by the nineteenth century the Métis made up a large portion of the seasonal and full time HBC labour force. As a result, they occupied positions such as “traders, voyageurs and clerks who journeyed to and live among their native clients” (Gale 7). Gale notes that the Métis settlements in the Lake Superior region were visually and geographically distinct, one account describes the Métis as being, “visually identifiable as much by their blue pantaloons, capot and fiddle, as by their leggings, red finger-woven sash, moccasins, hair feathers and tatoos” (7). According to Gale, music is and was an integral part of the Métis culture as it provided the vessel for communicating “historical knowledge publicly and sustain a sense of community through the practice of naming” (13).
Additionally, in the first section Gale notes Dr. Victor Lytwyn’s testimony for the Powley case, which provides a detailed description of the distribution of gifts by the Crown at Manitowaning. In the 1820s and 1830s, in order to reduce costs, the Crown decided to no longer include the Métis in the gift distribution. For the purpose of the R.v. Powley case, this demonstrated that the British government recognized the Métis as a distinct and unique community in the region prior to British legal and political control of Lake Superior region. Finally, Gale identifies a number of the RSMIN families who, for the most part, resided at Fort William, Fort Nipigon and Fort Michipicoten. This demonstrates the presence of RSMIN families in the territory that would become the Robinson-Superior Treaty, 1850 area. All RSMIN families identified by Gale are listed on the Ancestors of the RSMIN page.
The second section of Alison Gale’s report describes how the Métis families made use of their traditional lands in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Specifically, in this section Gale discusses traditional fishing, hunting and trapping practices. Gale notes a paper authored by J.L. Goodier who describes the importance of fishing for those Métis who lived near the shore of Lake Superior especially at Fort William, where many RSMIN families were settled. Equally important to Métis means of subsistence was hunting and trapping. Using the work of Arthur Ray, Gale explains that traditionally many servants of the HBC participated in both “subsistence and commercial hunting and trapping activities” (20). For example, Toussaint Boucher was Métis and a servant of the HBC whose “account activity is typical of those [sic] of a trapper” (Gale 21). Additionally, the Métis participated in harvesting activities including “harvesting maple sugar, gathering wild plants for food and medicinal purposes and trapping furs for clothing and sale” (Gale 21). Gale notes the 1894 report authored by E.B. Borron, Stipendiary Magistrate for the Ontario provincial government, which provides a description, from his perspective, of the Métis ‘way of life.’ It is important to remember, however, that Borron was attempting to have the Métis of the Robinson-Superior Treaty, 1850 region removed from the pay lists and likely emphasized the differences between the Métis and their Aboriginal kin rather then their similarities.
The third section of Alison Gale’s report focuses on the role of the Métis in the Lake Superior region during the negotiations, signing and implementation of the Robinson-Superior Treaty, 1850. According to Gale, Commissioners T. Anderson and A. Vidal, who were appointed to survey the lands to be included in the Robinson-Superior Treaty, 1850, were guided by a group of Ojibway and Métis. In a letter from Father Nicolas Frémiot, of the Jesuit Fathers, to his superiors he discusses a meeting he attended with the Commissioners; he expresses concern that the Métis present were not allowed to speak. According to Frémiot, the Métis may have been better informed and in a better position to uphold the rights of the Aboriginal Band representatives attending the meeting. Additionally, Gale notes Vidal and Anderson’s report, which states, “Half breeds are to be regarded as having a claim to share in the remuneration awarded to the Indians, and (as they can scarcely be altogether excluded without injustice to some)” (27). Finally, as noted by Gale, William Benjamin (W.B.) Robinson’s report regarding the treaty negotiations states that eighty-four half-breeds were to be included in the treaty as beneficiaries and annuitants. The RSMIN are recognized as the descendants of said eighty-four Métis included in the treaty. According to Gale, their inclusion in the Robinson Treaties demonstrates that the respective Aboriginal Bands relied on them to communicate their grievances and maintain their best interests. In the implementation phase of the Robinson-Superior Treaty, 1850 ‘half-breeds’ were included on the initial pay lists in 1851-52 and continued to be into twentieth century. In 1874 E.B. Borron sent a letter requesting an increase in the annuity payments for ‘Indians’ and ‘half-breeds,’ this led to a long lasting dispute between the Ontario and Canadian governments regarding the responsibility for the increased annuity payments. Additionally, after this request, E.B. Borron sent letters to the Ontario government suggesting that ‘half-breeds’ be removed from the pay lists. Importantly, the Board of Arbitrators report regarding responsibility for the annuity payments included those RSMIN families who were included in the Robinson-Superior Treaty, 1850.
The fourth section of Alison Gale’s report provides a general history of the Métis in the Lake Superior area after the Robinson-Superior Treaty, 1850. According to Gale, due to the decline in the fur trade after the 1860s many Métis in the Lake Superior region looked to other employment opportunities, including mining and working on the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). Gale notes an 1881 Census, which indicates that some RSMIN ancestors worked as “labourers, carpenters, hunters, voyageurs, interpreters and HBC officers at Nipigon” (39). Gale also includes information from a 1901 Census of Canada that includes “virtually all of the RSMIN Métis families,” additionally this census pointed to a high literacy level among the RSMIN Métis at the time (40). Also after the 1860s a number of Métis families in the Lake Superior region chose to live on the reserves, making it difficult to trace any cohesive group action among the Métis at the time. Gale notes that the Riel Rebellions of 1885 likely provided the motivation for Ontario Métis families to more closely associate themselves with their Aboriginal kin. In most instances the Métis were active on the Band Councils and in some cases were named the chief of their respective tribe (i.e. Thomas Boucher Chief at Fort William, 1887 and Pierre/Pierrish Deschamps Chief of Lake Nipigon Band,1899). Gale notes that there is little information regarding the post 1901 period and further research is required on this specific period in RSMIN history.
The final section of Alison Gale’s report examines the contemporary Métis community in the Robinson-Superior Treaty, 1850 area. In this section Gale uses interviews with former Métis Chief Roy E. J. DeLaRonde and Donelda Delaronde for first hand information regarding RSMIN. According to one of these interviews, at the time of this report RSMIN had “approximately 6, 000 members distributed throughout 66 communities” in North-Western Ontario (42). Citizenship is based on proof of ancestral linkage to one of the 84 ‘half-breeds’ included in the Robinson-Superior Treaty, 1850. Gale also includes a list of places where members of the RSMIN currently reside or work (please see the Current Locations of RSMIN Citizens page for a list of these places). The current organization of the RSMIN leadership is based on the traditional cultural practices represented by The Sash, which is passed on to those who possess an “interest and ability to address issues of general significance” (Gale 43). According to Gale, harvesting and hunting rights are of particular importance to RSMIN in the Robinson-Superior Treaty, 1850 territory as many citizens continue to take part in these traditional activities today. However, Gale notes, “being Aboriginal is not inconsistent with being modern…the economic survival of the Métis Nation in the modern world depends on its ability to exploit natural resources commercially, as peoples do the world over” (44).
Gale concludes that a distinct Métis community began to develop in the Lake Superior region in the nineteenth century when they began to take on specific roles as ‘middle men,’ working for the Hudson’s Bay Company and the North West Company. According to Gale, the Métis lived in areas surrounding the fur trading posts (including: Fort William, Michipicoten, Gull River (Lake Nipigon), Pic River, Red Rock, Long Lake etc.). As the economy and resources in the region changed so did the occupations of the Métis, demonstrating the adaptability of the Métis community in the Great Lakes region. Finally, Gale notes that the Métis, as represented by the RSMIN, continue to reside and participate in a number of cultural, political and traditional practices in the Robinson-Superior Treaty, 1850 area.
Important dates mentioned in the document:
1815: Tangible evidence of 150 year alliance between European men of the fur trade and Aboriginal women.
1820: According to Alison Gale, Métis identity becomes regionalized rather than place specific.
1821: Merger of North West Company and Hudson's Bay Company.
1848: Two French born missionaries, Father Pierre Choné and Father Nicholas Frémiot settle in Thunder Bay.
October 18, 1849: Father Nicholas Frémiot writes a letter to his superiors expression concerns that Métis were not included in the discussions regarding the upcoming treaty.
June 1, 1850: Census of Lake Nipigon includes 'half-breed' families (i.e. the La Guarde family).
September 7, 1850: The Robinson-Superior Treaty, 1850 is signed.
1855: Opening of the American canal at Sault Ste. Marie, which transformed Lake Superior travel, bringing the commercial revolution to the Thunder Bay region.
1858: Pennefather Report lists 52 persons of mixed descent in the Michipicoten Band.
July 6, 1867: Canadian Confederation.
1874: E.B. Borron advocates for increased annuity payments (see Correspondence between E.B. Borron and D. Laird), this request resulted in a long lasting dispute between the Provincial and Canadian governments regarding responsibility for annuity payments.
1875: Construction begins on the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in Thunder Bay.
1880: Aboriginal and Métis people residing in Pic River petition the Governor General for a reserve.
1881: Census reveals a number of the ancestors of the RSMIN remain in the Nipigon and Fort William areas.
1882: The first CPR train arrives in Thunder Bay.
1885: Riel Rebellions (also known as the North-West Rebellion).
1887: Thomas Boucher, ancestor of the RSMIN, is Chief of Fort William Band.
1889: 'Half-breeds' continue to be included on the Robinson-Superior Treaty, 1850 annuity pay lists but are not identified separately.
1891: Ontario, Quebec and Canadian governments propose to decide which level of government is responsible for increased annuity payments.
1894: E.B. Borron, Stipendiary Magistrate for the Ontario provincial government, authors a report that provides a summary of the way of life 'half-breeds' in the mid-ninteenth century.
February 14, 1895: Board of Arbitrators hands down their decision, which establishes Ontario's obligation to pay annuities.
1899: Pierre/Perrish Deschamps, ancestor of the RSMIN, is Chief of the Lake Nipigon Band.
1901: Census includes almost all of the RSMIN families, many speaking both English and French.
Important people discussed in the document:
E.B. Borron
Pierre Cobiere
A. Vidal
T. Anderson
Father Nicolas Frémiot
J. Anderson
John Swanston
Governor Simpson
Simon Dawson
Roy E. J. DeLaRonde
For a list of the ancestors of the citizens of RSMIN as identified by Gale please see the Ancestors of the RSMIN page.
Specific location(s) mentioned in the document (if applicable):
Fort Nipigon
Fort Kaministiquia, Ontario
Fort William, Ontario
Pic Post at Pic River, Ontario
Port Arthur, Ontario
Fort Michipicoten, Ontario
Manitowaining, Ontario
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Agawa River, Ontario
Batchawana Bay, Ontario
Red Rock, Ontario
Red River
Detroit, Michigan
Michilimackinac, Michigan
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Minnesota
Booth Township
For a list of the places where RSMIN citizens resided at the time of Gale's report please see the Current Locations of RSMIN Citizens page.
Non-specific location(s) mentioned in the document (if applicable):
Lake Superior Area (North Shore), Ontario
Upper Great Lakes Region, Ontario
Lake Superior, Ontario-Minnesota-Wisconsin-Michigan
Kaministiquia River, Ontario
Lake Nipigon, Ontario
Lake Athabasca, Saskatchewan
Dog Lake, Ontario
Lake Helen, Ontario
Specific event(s) identified in the document (if applicable):
Merger of North West Company and Hudson's Bay Company (1821)
Signing of the Robinson-Superior Treaty, 1850 (September 7, 1850)
Canadian Confederation (July 6, 1867)
The Riel Rebellions (1885)
Board of Arbitrators hands down their decision, which establishes Ontario's obligation to pay annuities (February 14, 1895)
Relevant citations:
Gale, Alison. "Report on the Red Sky Métis Independent Nation (The Historical Ancestral Indigenous Métis First Families of Upper Canada)." Trails in Time Historical Research Inc. (2005). Print.
Was the information found online (yes/no)?:
No.
Document links and URLs (if applicable):
Copy of Alison Gale's 2005 Report
Below is a copy of Alison Gale's 1998 Report, which outlines her sources cited in the 2005 report (above):
Copy of Alison Gale's Robinson Treaty Métis – Historical Report 1998
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