Métis Nationalist Voice

Volume 1, Issue 1 August 2020 Métis Nation Issues and Interests 1870: The Métis Nation Joins Canada By Clem Chartier

This year marks the 150th anni- io. This led to thousands of Métis tis in Manitoba the Supreme Inside versary of the Métis Nation join- leaving the Red River Settlement Court of Canada in 2013 in this issue: ing Canadian Confederation. In for destinations to the west, join- MMF v. Canada ruled that 1870 the Métis Nation with its ing existing Métis settlements or the honour of the Crown capital at the Red River, current creating new ones. was breached in the distri- Métis History : day Winnipeg, and under the bution of their s. 31 Métis in leadership of President Louis This was the start of the road lands guaranteed under the Southwestern Riel negotiated its terms of entry allowance people, with the Métis Manitoba Act, 1870. The Saskatchewan into Confederation. The Provi- basically becoming refugees in MMF is currently negotiating sional Government led by Presi- our own homeland. a settlement of that s.31 Senator dent Riel was successful in se- land promise. Nora curing what they believed would For the rest of the Métis Nation Cummings be a future within the newly de- For those of us outside of veloping country of Canada. the original province of Man- itoba the federal govern- Métis With limited success in striving to ment unilaterally imposed a Nationalism bring the whole of the Métis Na- scrip system which led to tion homeland under Métis own- the dispossession of our ership and rule as it entered Can- people in what are now the Batoche ada, the Riel government settled provinces of Manitoba, Sas- for the creation of the province of katchewan and Alberta, Manitoba, with s.31 providing for along with the Northwest 1.4 million acres of land for the Territories. The validity of Desautel Case children of Métis heads of fami- the scrip system is currently lies, as well as guaranteed being challenged in the Fed- French language rights and eral Court of Canada by schools. By s. 32 the lands then Métis from northwest Sas- under Métis occupation were katchewan and northeast also to have received guaranteed Alberta through a statement ownership title. outside of the original postage of claim filed in that court in stamp province of Manitoba (150 October 2019. Unfortunately, within weeks a miles by 50 miles in size), we military mission made up of Brit- entered Confederation through The scrip system was so ish and Canadian troops arrived the Rupert’s Land Order 1870 badly flawed that the Su- at the Red River and unleashed which also provided constitutional preme Court of Canada in a reign of terror which lasted 2 ½ protection of our rights which the 2003 Blais case, which years, with murders, rapes, beat- have not yet been proven in ings and other violations taking court. had nothing to do with land place. Many Métis coming back or scrip, stated that “the from the buffalo hunts also found With that sorry state of affairs our history of scrip speculation their properties taken over by ancestors became displaced and devaluation is a sorry easterners, primarily from Ontar- from our lands and re- chapter in our nation’s histo- sources. Fortunately for the Mé- ry”. Métis Nationalist Voice Page 2 Métis History Page - Métis of Southwest Saskatchewan By Lorna Ledoux

Each issue of Métis its most famous citizen Édouard search for the bison and return Nationalist Voice we will feature Beaupré , also known as the home with the meat. By the Giant of Willow Bunch. Ac- 1860s, due to increased hunting cording to the authors, the pressure, the bison were almost Giant was an 8 foot 3 inch extinct in the region west of Red Métis who was the first per- River and the hunters were son born in Willow Bunch. traveling far into Saskatchewan to find bison herds. (Wutzke) Beaupré was born on January With these long trips, 9, 1881. He was the first of 20 Red River Métis hunters began children born to Gaspard building cabins in sheltered Beaupré and Métis Florestine valleys to wait out the winter, Piché. He spoke French, first at Portage la Prairie and English, Métchif, Cree and Turtle Mountain, then at Qu’Ap- Sioux. He was an excellent pelle and Wood Mountain, and horseman but by the age of then continuously further west- 17 he had reached the height ward into the Cypress Hills and the Métis history of a different of 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) and he Alberta. (Wutzke) Métis at Maple Creek area, Saskatchewan, area or community. In this issue circa 1900. L-R: Gabriel Lavelle; Joseph abandoned the trade. After Laronge; John Spence; Louis Haggeyt; Lugler we are profiling the region of leaving life on the ranch, Wutzke stated that Lavelle. Photo courtesy of Glenbow Museum Southwest Saskatchewan. The Beaupré began touring. He the Métis were not always hunt- region is rich with Métis history displayed his strength by bend- ers as some became engaged and culture! ing iron bars and lifting horses in trading, while others kept small herds of cattle or sheep, According to Métis onto his shoulders. He toured vegetable gardens, or grew Author Ron Rivard and co- from Winnipeg to Montreal and some grain. author Catherine Littlejohn in stayed for a time in California. “This place (southwest The History of the Métis of (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/% Rivard and Littlejohn C3%89douard_Beaupr%C3%A9) Saskatchewan) is steeped in our Willow Bunch, the Southwest talk about Métis settlers in the history and that history may be corner of Saskatchewan was area, stating that Kimberly Aaron Wutz- part of the way to breathe new inhabited by the Métis while on ke writes about the region in “The original maps of life into the area. We have the their buffalo hunts. The authors the first settlements to the area make the link between the re- her 2009 Masters Thesis, Giant Beaupre, the petroglyphs “FORT WALSH TOWNSITE (1875 clearly show that Métis home- gion and life in the Red River. steads were firmly established. at St. Victor, numerous -1883): EARLY SETTLEMENT IN They outline how the Métis There were real people with real THE CYPRESS HILLS” Wutzke wintering sites throughout the lived in those early days and homes.” states that area, ranching and cowboy describe in detail life on the Métis historian Elaine traditions, our association with prairies. Métis traders played “Although people had Cross has ancestral roots in the a big role in the life of the Métis been traveling about and the NWMP, Sitting Bull, the area. She tells a story passed settlements and this lifestyle is through the Cypress Hills for Lakota and Dakota peoples, the down from her Mother Mary described by Rivard and Lit- millennia, actual settlement with- rustling gangs and American in the hills did not occur until at Blyan, Grandmother Mary Lewis tlejohn. outlaws.” Ron Rivard least the 1860s with the appear- and Great-Grandmother Helen Rivard and Littlejohn ance of Métis villages scattered Roy, about how the Métis Roy state: throughout the hills. Prior to family had come into contact this, the main settlement of the with real-life outlaws in their “Long before any Métis people was the Red River travels in the area, when they white settlers moved into the Settlement in Manitoba.” area, the Métis were here. We met the Jessie James gang. had permanent structures, we The Métis bison hunt Her colourful depiction of early had organized civil order to deal was a main source of livelihood Métis life in Southwest Sas- with local issues, we had our for many . When the bison katchewan and northern Mon- own institutions, we had local herds retreated further away tana is illustrative of how the government, we had our own from the Red River settlement prairies were settled and tempts traditions, we had our own cul- and shortages in pemmican one to read more about the ture, and we had a community.” supply began occurring, large area, much much more! Willowbunch is often known for hunts were organized yearly to Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 3

Métis Elder’s Story - Senator Nora Cummings By Lorna Ledoux

I feel honoured to be the one writing Nora continues with Métis tradi- this short profile about Senator Nora tions such as hosting a huge Cummings who is a true Métis Nation- New Year’s Eve gathering every alist. She and Cathy Littlejohn are cur- year that leaves one stuffed, rently working on a book that will offer happy and proud to be Métis . much more detail and I for one, look There, one will run into old forward to reading it. friends and acquaintances that just might become friends at I first met Nora in the mid 1980s. I was such an event. Aside from her new to the city as a university student cultural activities Nora remains and Nora was teaching Métis dancing as busy as ever with all sorts of along with her husband Henry Cum- advisory and counselling roles. mings and other Métis with the gift of She refers to the young women light feet and rhythm. She was so en- she has worked with as “my couraging and positive, leading by ex- girls”. All of us are reminded that ample with a sprinkling of humor and there is much to do and that we perhaps the occasional strong word or need to keep at it when we see two. the following information on Nora that I put together with a bit of As the years passed and I got to know research. her, I continued to learn from Nora and Nora attend- be amazed by how Cummings shares advice with ed St. Joseph strong and consistent other Indigenous women School and throughout the province: she has been for the was married Métis Nation and its “Continue to work for our at a young people. That saying people and your people and age where for other generations to about how somebody come,” Cummings said. she raised “Become great leaders and has “forgotten more always respect your elders. nine children than most people will Always remember your and for now she has 28 then worked as a family worker for the Saska- ever know” certainly culture and be proud.” grandchildren and 34 toon Métis Society Local # 11. In 1987, she applies to Nora. I (From Eagle Feather News) great grandchildren was elected President of the Saskatoon Métis could pretty much get and counting. Society Local #11. any kind of advice I need from Nora and I Nora’s list of lifetime In 1993, Nora became a Senator for the Métis have done just that for over 30 years. achievements is voluminous. She was a Nation Saskatchewan Senate, where she still Nora is known and respected across founding member of the Saskatoon Métis remains. She has presided over many events the nation by people from many cul- Society Local #11 in 1969 followed by and on commissions in her role as Senator. tures and walks of life as is evidenced being a field worker for the Métis Society by her many awards and accolades. Local #11 until 1971. Also in 1971, she In closing, I thank Nora for the role model she became a founder of the Saskatchewan has been for so many and selflessly continu- Something that I find very interesting is Native Women’s Association. A year later, ing to serve the Métis Nation for the past 50 that Nora is from Saskatoon. Most of she was appointed Provincial Coordinator years. the people I know have moved here for of the Association where she later was work, school, family or all of the above. elected Provincial President. She has told me of growing up in the area around Aden Bowman High Nora has served on many boards such as School in Saskatoon and living a tradi- the Board of Directors of the Native Wom- tional Métis lifestyle. She descends en’s Association of Canada and the Sas- from the Round Prairie Trotchie family katoon Indian and Métis Friendship Cen- and the Batoche Ouellette family. Her ter. ancestor Joseph Ouellette was killed in the Battle of Batoche defending his land From 1977 to 1983, Nora was employed rights. by the Native Employment Services. She Métis Nationalist Voice Page 4

Editorial on Métis Nationalism

What does it mean when we say we are Métis na- its boundaries over the years to what it is March 8, 1983 with one seat made available tionalists? The basic definition of nationalism is the today), northwest Ontario, part of what is now to it after legal action forced the Prime Minis- “identification with one's own nation and support for Saskatchewan and Alberta and a portion of ter to make that accommodation. “Never its interests, especially to the exclusion or detriment the Northwest Territories. Our homeland again”, swore the then Métis leadership, “will of the interests of other nations”. also extends in the USA states of Montana, we ever allow any other Aboriginal people to North Dakota and Minnesota. speak on behalf of the Métis Nation”!

While our homeland naturally spread further So far this is holding true, but there are cur- Therefore, many of us who believe in the Métis west after 1870 to later include northeast rent threats which may take us back to the Nation support its interests and work to ensure that British Columbia for example, it still neverthe- pre-1983 days, which will be covered in the other Indigenous nations’ interests do not detract less is a definite geographic territory which next issue based on the MNC General As- from our existence as a distinct Indigenous nation exists today. Certainly, thousands of our sembly resolution which suspended the Métis and people. This is based on the fact that the Métis Métis Nation citizens now live outside of our Nation of Ontario as the vast majority of the emerged in what is now western Canada primarily homeland but the fact remains that our their members do not meet the Métis Nation through the remoteness of the territory within which homeland has a distinct historical geographic definition of Métis adopted in 2002. the fur trade was carried on. existence which modern movement out for

employment or other purposes did alter. For now, carrying on with the 1983 movement Although originally of mixed ancestry through the to have the Métis Nation represent itself, the intermarriage in the custom of the country between While we now enjoy relative security in our non-status Indians in Alberta and Manitoba the Cree, Dene and Saulteau amongst others on nation and homeland, it was not also so. immediately formed their own organizations one side and fur traders, primarily French and Scot- After the dispossession of our people from voluntarily leaving the Métis Association of tish on the other, the offspring of these unions soon our lands and resources in the late 1800s Alberta (now the Métis Nation of Alberta) and through a process known as ethnogenesis, devel- and early 1900s through the reign of terror in the Manitoba Métis Federation. In Saskatch- oped their own language (Michif), culture (flower Manitoba (Red River Settlement: 1870-72) to ewan it took longer for the Association of beadwork), foods, clothing and inventions such as the botched scrip process, through the sub- Métis and Non-Status Indians (AMNSIS) to the Red River cart and the York boat. Coupled with sequent road allowance experience, to se- go our separate ways. This was finally this, they developed their own political conscious- vere economic and social living conditions, brought about by a court ordered referendum ness, forms of government and the means to de- our people have survived. In the 1970s and seeking a decision of the members of fend themselves militarily. into the 1980s we did join forces with non- AMNSIS to decide whether to stay in a joint status Indians who were also suffering similar organization or go their separate ways. The economic and social conditions. However as separate ways promoted by Métis nationalists With the June 19, 1816 Victory of the Frog Plain political, legal and constitutional develop- narrowly won the August 1988 vote, but since (aka Battle of Seven Oaks) the Métis under Cuth- ments became more positive in the early the 1889 Métis election we have been Métis- bert Grant Jr declared the birth of the Métis Nation 1980s it became apparent that our aspira- only. and for the first time in battle unfurled the blue infini- tions and answers/solutions to our respective ty flag which remains today as the official flag of the issues were different. Whereas non-status Métis Nation. Other events following this, such as Indians were seeking getting back their Indi- We leave off this article with a quote from the 1849 Sayer Trial where Métis free trade was an Act status and Treaty rights, we as the Clem Chartier, the Vice-President of established, the Battle of the Grand Coteau in 1851, Métis Nation, were seeking our right of self- AMNSIS, from a November 1983 editorial he the 1869/70 Red River Resistance and the 1885 determination as a people and the securing wrote in the Newest Review titled: Batoche Battle of Batoche, our sense of nationhood was of land and self-government. 1985: Métis nationalism a century later. solidly entrenched in the hearts and minds of our people. With the patriation of the Constitution to Can- The Métis Nation was never ada in 1982 and the inclusion of Métis in s. crushed – suppressed yes, crip- 1870 marks an important milestone in the history of 35(2) it was time that the Métis Nation spoke pled maybe – but not destroyed. the Métis Nation as that is the date that our nation through its own voice: a Métis voice. With Métis nationalism is currently joined Canada through the Manitoba Act, 1870 and the Métis within the Native Council of Cana- sweeping this continent and its the Rupert’s Land Order of 1870. At that point in da (now the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples) course to self-determination is time our Métis Nation Homeland in the Old North- frozen out of the 1983 constitutional talks, the inevitable”. west eventually became part of modern-day prov- Métis National Council was established on inces, beginning of course with the original postage stamp province of Manitoba (which later expanded Page 5 Métis Nationalist Voice

Métis Have Celebrated Nationalism at Batoche in July for Many Years By Lorna Ledoux

Bear eventually turned him- for the Métis Nation. self in to Mounties at Fort

Carlton in early July. This year, 2020, with a global Covid-19

epidemic in full swing, it was impossible The Métis at Batoche have to hold a gathering of such a magni- retained a strong national tude. Family groups did attend private and cultural identity and gatherings on the historic lands at celebrated these things with Batoche to honour the Métis Nation great pride each year. The and its people, past, present and future. local people always cele- Many of those who celebrated privately brated on July 24. in 2020 were the same people who gathered in 1988, including Métis Na-

tional Council President Clem Chartier. St. Joseph’s Day (July 24),

was named as a Métis na- tional day in 1884. The historical St. Joseph’s Day, the celebration honouring In a little while it the patron saint of the Mé- will be over. We tis, involved a mass along may fail. But the The Métis Provisional Government at with horse races, games of skill, music rights for which we Batoche had for years, unsuccessfully and dancing. contend will not petitioned Ottawa for recognition of their die. land rights. Métis in the area were liv- ing in the river lot settlement patterns The Back to Batoche festival was start- Louis Riel 1885 that remain visible to this day. ed by the Métis Society of Saskatche- wan in 1971 and has showcased Métis history and culture almost every year The Battle of Batoche Fought from May since. It has changed over the years in 9 to 12, 1885,was the decisive battle of some ways, but in others, it has stayed the North-West Resistance, which pitted the same. When it began in 1970 eve- the Métis and their First Nations sup- ryone slept in army tents, but over the porters against a force of Canadian years, people bring tents and campers militia. Forces were sent from eastern to stay in and enjoy the event. Canada in greater numbers and superi- or firepower to that of the Métis . Battles at Duck Lake and Fish Creek had prov- For many of the last 50 years, political en successful for the Métis , however, meetings accompanied the cultural at Batoche this was not the case and celebrations. It was a way to gather the town was eventually captured. Métis from across Saskatchewan to conduct the business of the Métis Society. The defeat of the Métis led to the sur- render of Louis Riel on May 15 and the collapse of the Provisional Government. During the very few years that there Poundmaker surrendered on May 26. was not a Back to Batoche Days cele- Cree fighters and families under Big bration, there were still Métis people Bear held out the longest, fighting off who did travel to Batoche to camp and Canadian troops pursuing them in the celebrate their nationhood, history, Battle of Frenchman's Butte and Battle culture and identity. In 1988 there was a of Loon Lake, and, gradually dwindling handful of people who gathered but the in number, staying on the move until Big hearts of those people were full of pride Page 6 Memories From Batoche Memories From Batoche Page 7 Page 8 Métis Nationalist Voice Métis National Council & Manitoba Métis Federation Intervene in the Desautel case - Supreme Court of Canada By Clem Chartier

Mr. Desautel, a member of the Lakes Tribe long distances across the Homeland, now for October 8, 2020. Power Law of Ottawa is residing in Washington State, U.S., was covered by many provinces, to trade, hunt and representing the MNC and Kathy Hodgson- charged with illegal hunting for killing a cow elk harvest, and maintaining family connections Smith of Hodgson-Smith Law is representing in the Arrow Lakes region of B.C. He admitted throughout a broad social, economic and kin- the MMF. having hunted the elk, but argued that as a ship connections network. If the Supreme Unfortunately, not all MNC Governing Mem- descendant of the Sinixt, whose traditional Court of Canada were to accept the govern- bers support the MNC’s intervention. The territory overlaps the Canada-U.S. border and ment’s argument that Aboriginal peoples must MNS and MNA Presidents by letter of April 22, includes the Arrow Lakes region, he had an continue to reside in the same part of their 2020, joined by the MNO, wrote to Kathy Aboriginal right to hunt in the Arrow Lakes traditional territory as their ancestors (on the Hodgson-Smith stating that she had no right to region. narrow site-specific precedent set by the SCC represent the MNC, as it has no authority to in the Powley case), this could seriously under- The government of British Columbia argued intervene in the case. The MMF responded mine our rights to hunt, trap, fish and harvest, that because the members of the Lakes Tribe making it clear that Ms. Hodgson-Smith was simply because of our mobile way of life. Also, no longer reside in Canada, they cannot have not representing the MNC, but in fact was rep- the case will affect the rights of all Aboriginal Aboriginal rights in Canada. The government resenting the MMF. peoples whose traditional territory overlaps the also argued that Aboriginal peoples must con- Canada-U.S. border, including the Métis Na- tinue to reside in the same geographic area as tion. their ancestors in order to keep their Aboriginal Further, while President Clara Morin-Dal Col of rights. Because the members of Lakes Tribe The MNC and MMF’s intervention in the the Métis Nation British Columbia, as part of had moved to the southern part of their tradi- Desautel case the MNC Planning and Priorities Committee tional territory for some time (only occasionally (PPC), approved the MNC intervention, a num- Because of the important impacts of the case returning to hunt in Canada), the government ber of her Board had an MNBC Board Meeting on Métis Nation rights, the MNC and MMF of B.C. argued that they had lost their Aborigi- convened and with their legal counsel, who is jointly applied to participate in the debate be- nal rights in the northern part of their traditional also legal counsel for the MNS, convinced the fore the Supreme Court of Canada as interven- territory. majority of the MNBC Board to seek intervener ers. The MNC and MMF proposed to argue status, which they have since received, where- The BC Provincial Court, Supreme Court and that Aboriginal rights must be applied in a way in they are intervening in support of the BC Court of Appeal all agreed that Mr. Desautel that takes into account the Métis Nation per- government, and against Mr. Desautel. had an Aboriginal right to hunt in the Arrow spective and its highly mobile way of life, and Lakes region based on the practices of his that Aboriginal peoples do not lose their consti- Sinixt ancestors and acquitted him of all charg- tutional rights simply by relocating within their It is unfortunate that the Presidents of the MNS es. The BC government appealed the Court of traditional territory or due to the actions of gov- and MNA, and the majority of the MNBC Board Appeal decision to the Supreme Court of Can- ernments that have created artificial bounda- did not take advantage of the opportunity to ada (SCC). ries through their traditional territory. The Su- support mobility rights and enhance the ability preme Court of Canada has granted the MNC of the citizens of the Métis Nation to exercise Why does the Desautel case matter for the and MMF permission to participate in the de- their/our s.35 hunting and fishing rights Métis Nation? bate and make submissions in writing and at throughout our traditional territory. The citizens of the Métis Nation have always the hearing. The hearing, originally scheduled been a highly mobile people, travelling over for May 12, 2020, has now been tentatively set

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