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 Because John
McDougall spent his childhood among Aboriginal people, he
spoke their languages and understood their ways better than most
missionaries. He was a strong horseman and enjoyed the trust and respect of
his community. Various references, from John's own hand as well
as others, note that the Aboriginal people called him "one of
us."
John McDougall played a leading role in developing missions at Pigeon
Lake and Morley. Although the Pigeon Lake Mission,
established by Robert Rundle in 1847, never grew into a permanent
settlement, from its base McDougall established ties with the surrounding Nakoda (Stoney) communities, links that would help him throughout his
career.
 The Morley Mission, with a
church and school, grew into a community named Morleyville. Established
during the 1870s and during a period of increasing discontent
among the Aboriginal
population, the mission was received with mixed feelings-many Stoney-Nakoda
welcomed the arrival of the missionaries, hoping they would help combat
the ravages of liquor and offer some relief from famine and war. Others among the tribe,
however, were less receptive and kept their
distance.
John McDougall was a pivotal link between the Aboriginal and Métis communities and the incoming settlers. The government, well aware of
 his relationship with the indigenous population, asked him to prepare the
tribes, especially those of the Blackfoot Nation to the South, for the
coming treaty negotiations. In 1874, when the North-West Mounted Police
began to move into the West, McDougall was charged with preparing the
local communities
 for
their arrival. He was involved in the councils prior
to and during the signing of Treaty 6 in 1876 and Treaty 7 in 1877,
advising Aboriginal peoples to accept a life of agricultural
settlement. During the North-West Rebellion of 1885, he visited camps to
quell fears and offer assurances that allegiance to the Canadian
government was the best choice. Later in his life, he acted as a
commissioner for the Dominion Government and the Department of Indian
Affairs, again as a middleman. Therefore, like his father, John
McDougall acted as an advocate for the interests of the Aboriginal and Métis people and the government.
 Treaties, Part 1: Overview
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Blackfoot Crossing: Traditional River Ford for Siksika Nation/ Place
for signing of Treaty 7
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