As the fur trade declined, fishing became the primary occupation of many Métis in the Upper Great Lakes. This included the “little” Métis village at Killarney that relied upon the bountiful surrounding waters to feed their community and generate an ongoing income.
Over the generations, many visitors to the area described the Métis fishing economy in Killarney, including their collective advocacy around the protection of Métis fishing rights that date back to as early as 1838.
One traveller, in particular, highlighted the participation of entire Métis families in the Killarney community’s Métis fishing traditions:
“There was a small shop, a fish-packing and ice house, two or three shanties, then a large tent occupied by a half-breed family, the father a fisherman, with sons who aided him, and two pretty daughters.”
As settlers began to arrive in the Upper Great Lakes and the government began to impose fishing regulations, Métis at Killarney began to see their way of life impacted.
Métis families faced threats and harassment when attempting to stop settler fishermen from overfishing. This included the Lamorandiere family, who faced a campaign of harassment from the settlers, which included the killing of their cattle and horse, in retaliation for their efforts to protect fish populations.
Despite these disruptions, Métis family fishing continued at Killarney. Even by 1895, visiting missionary Harold Nelson Burden wrote about Métis fishing at Killarney, noting that “fishing forms the chief occupation of the inhabitants, who are for the most part half-breeds.”
Family fishing remains an important tradition for many Métis throughout the Upper Great Lakes that continues to feed their Métis families and communities to this day.