Jane Renton’s Contributions to Community

Jane Renton was one of the many Métis women who played an essential role in the economic and social development of her Abitibi Inland Métis Community through her specialized skills and knowledge of northern Ontario’s lands, waters, plants, and wildlife.

Raised around trading posts where her father worked, Jane developed a strong understanding of the fur trade and the responsibilities that came with life in a Métis trading community. Her familiarity with both Indigenous and European traditions earned her respect within the region and allowed her to pass on important cultural knowledge and practical skills to future generations.

Jane also placed a strong emphasis on education for her children. Several of them were among the first students to attend school in the area. As they grew older, many of Jane’s children continued to work in the fur trade, some moving to other parts of the North-West, such as Red River, carrying with them the values and traditions they had learned from their mother.

Through her work, family life, and cultural knowledge, Jane Renton contributed to the growth and continuity of the Abitibi Inland Métis Community and beyond.

See Our Sources

• Abitibi Expert Panel Submissions

Mini Word Search

Have fun with the facts by completing today's mini word search.