Joseph La France: Coureur de bois Marie-Anne Lagimodiere Jerry Potts

Jerry Potts, Métis Interpreter

Jerry Potts was Métis (his father was Scottish and his mother Ojibwe) and is remembered for being a successful guide, scout, interpreter, plainsman, hunter and warrior. Over the course of his lifetime, Potts participated in many events. He worked for the North West Mounted Police for 22 years as an interpreter, as he was familiar with a number of Aboriginal languages. He also helped the Mounties keep peace on the Plains by explaining to the Aboriginal People that the Mounties were there to get rid of the whiskey trade. In 1870, he led the Blackfoot in the last big First Nations battle in Canada against the Cree near the Belly River. The Blackfoot had a great victory over the Cree largely due to Potts' efforts. The Blackfoot also believed that Potts had supernatural powers, as he was never wounded despite participating in many battles. Potts was an interpreter at Treaty 7, at Blackfoot Crossing in 1877, but it is rumored that he drank too much the night before and had trouble communicating with the Aboriginal leaders.

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