Notes for Metis Talking Stick, Spreecast of January 31, 2013, 6:00-8:00 PM, E.S.T.
Many Metis entered treaty long before the land had been selected for the various
reserves. Thus by the time the reserves were selected and surveyed many Metis
found that they had built their houses and/or farms outside of their Bands reserve.
Thus many decided to withdraw from treaty and take their Metis scrip to apply
against the land they were living on and farming.
1
Punished for Resistance activities and removed from Band Annuity Lists, eg.
Chakastaypasin Band (who also lost their reserve), Peeyasis Band at Lac la Biche,
Muskeg Lake, One Arrow. Muskeg Lake lost all annuity payments and was
without a chief for over ten years.
There was a mass exodus to Turtle Mountain and Montana after the 1885
Resistance. There was then a subsequent removal of Metis from the Turtle
Mountain Band lists (Little Shell people), encouraged by the US government.
There was also a mass exodus of Metis and Plains Cree to Montana after the 1885
Resistance. Some joined the Flathead Reserve, others were itinerant and became
known as the Landless Cree and were part of Rocky Boys group.. Their joint
Cree/Metis council was led by Little Bear (Imasees) and Gabriel Dumont. There
were a series of deportations back to Canada. Many eventually returned to Canada
and now make up the Montana Reserve.
The people were starving and no reserve had been surveyed eg. Papaschase Band
Tricked into leaving treaty. Indian Affairs officials under Hayter Reed were
encouraging Metis to leave to reduce the costs to Indian Affairs, true for Sandy
Bay and Lac la Biche.
The reserve was not located where they wanted or was on poor land for farming,
eg. Sandy Bay and Gamblers.
The reserve was moved, eg. St. Peters moved to Peguis, Duck Bay moved to Pine
Creek. St. Peters there was a mass exodus to Prince Albert led by John Smith and
James Smith )six Smith brothers in all) from St. Peters The Smiths then signed
Treaty six and got their own reserves in Saskatchewan. Many of their Metis
followers later withdrew from Treaty.
Other Metis left because they didnt like the Indian Affairs rules, eg travel pass
requirement to be off reserve, or wanted to vote, or wanted to buy and sell liquor.
Others were enfranchised under the rules (university graduates, army
servicemen).
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