John Saunders was a Métis storyteller from the Abitibi Inland Métis Community, born in 1845 at Matawagamingue—a small inland Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) post. In his 1867 autobiography, John documented stories from his upbringing and early career, casting light on both his Métis community and the fur trade world within which he grew up.  With his Métis family, John spent his early years immersed in the fur trade world, watching his father Valentine practice essential tradition

Métis communities across the Homeland were active in the fur trade and significant contributors to the essential ‘overwintering’ practice. Overwintering involved living and working at remote fur trade posts throughout the winter months, often with only a few other employees and companions.  While canoe brigades and seasonal traders would return to their home bases, overwinterers would continue living near and conducting commerce with First Nations trappers, trading en déroine

Reginald Alexander Nicolson was born in Moose Factory on September 3, 1892, to Allan Nicolson and Clara Caroline Vincent. He grew up in the James Bay region and worked as a bank clerk before the First World War.  Reginald’s grandfather, Thomas Vincent, was among the Métis at Moose Factory who petitioned the government for recognition and “compensation in lieu of lands”—a request shared directly with Prime Minister Thompson, who was warned that these Métis “would be inclined t

Frederick McLeod, son of 1905 Moose Factory Métis petitioner George McLeod, left his community in Moose Factory to enlist in the First World War in January 1916. After a year of training, Frederick sailed for overseas service with his unit on February 16, 1917. Upon arrival in England, the battalion was reorganized, and Frederick was reassigned to the 6th Railway Battalion, where he continued his training in preparation for entering active duty in France in April 1917. Unlike

Frederick McLeod, son of George McLeod and Isabelle McBean, was born on October 9th, 1893, into the vibrant and historic Métis community at Moose Factory. In 1905, when Frederick was at the impressionable age of thirteen, his father, George, was one of six Métis of Moose Factory, “born & brought up in the country”, to sign a petition to the government on behalf of their families and communities for “that scrip has been granted to the Halfbreeds of the North West Territory”. A

Edward Cyrus Richards, the Métis son of Reverend Edward Richards Sr. and Jane Jones, was born on June 14, 1887, near James Bay. A descendant of the Favell family, Edward worked as a clerk and was living at the Fort Hope Post on the Albany River before being conscripted during the First World War and forced to join the 1st Depot Battalion in June 1918. Edward's departure for Europe was delayed just one month after he joined his battalion when he was hospitalized in Port Arthur