Many members of the Upper Great Lakes Métis Community utilized their knowledge of the lands, waters, and local peoples to maintain meaningful employment as guides and interpreters. Lewis Solomon, a member of the Métis community at Penetanguishene, was one of those guides. Lewis was born on Drummond Island in 1821 and later moved to Penetanguishene during the community’s relocation in 1829. As a young adult, Lewis pursued “a tolerably fair education” that afforded him a “c

Métis oral histories contain many stories of New Year’s celebrations across the Métis Homeland, Sault Ste. Marie is no exception! They tell of Métis going from house to house for cakes and pies, with the sounds of fireworks, gunshots, church bells, and fiddle music ringing in the air, all accompanied by dancing. Métis were so fond of this time of year that they often shared stories with non-Métis authors interested in their community’s history. In the 1920s, for example, Jam

The Upper Great Lakes are known for their treacherous waters, where unpredictable weather and hidden shoals have led to untold numbers of shipwrecks over the centuries. Many—including the wrecks of the Hackett at Horse Island and the Labatte family at Thunder Beach near Penetanguishene—have been preserved by Métis communities through stories and passed down through the generations. With such events looming large in Métis communities’ memories, it should come as little sur

New Year’s has long been an important day of celebration in many Métis communities. For some, the date was marked with happy visiting among friends and relatives. For others, New Year’s was a time to let loose. For those of the latter inclination, the need for a lively New Year’s party was further heightened after the 1821 merger of the Hudson’s Bay Company and North West Company when HBC Governor George Simpson imposed new rules to curtail Métis workers’ love of parties and

Many Indigenous people and nations in the Upper Great Lakes allied with and fought alongside the British Army during the War of 1812. Louis George Labatte of the Upper Great Lakes Métis Community was one such veteran. Labatte participated in the capture of Mackinaw and other pivotal events. Through his experiences, Louis George Labatte had many stories to pass along to his children about his time during the war. His son, Antoine Labatte, later recounted one of his father’s

Métis people have a long and proud history of military service. From the War of 1812 through both World Wars, the Korean Conflict, the Gulf War, Afghanistan, and peacekeeping missions, Métis veterans have steadfastly defended their communities and served in the Canadian armed forces across generations. Many Métis veterans have extended their leadership and community service throughout the rest of their lives, long after their active duty ended. Louis George Labatte of the Upp