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 families across the Homeland have relied on their surrounding lands and waters to sustain themselves and their communities. Each passed down their rich place-based harvesting knowledge through stories and experiential learning. Many of these stories and the knowledge they contain have been told throughout Métis communities for generations. This includes the occasional cautionary tale. One such tale is that of Pierre (Louis) Rondeau, which was shared with journalist

The Métis people are known for their sense of humour and love of a good joke. Despite forced relocations, restrictive government policies, and countless personal hardships, Upper Great Lakes Métis have always maintained—and been quick to share—their vibrant sense of humour. Self-deprecating humour was one way that Métis in Upper Great Lakes could enliven the spirits of themselves and others. In her interview with A.C. Osborne, for example, then-elderly Angelique Langlad