Heritage Community Foundation Presents
Alberta Online Encyclopedia
The Métis in Western Canada: O-Tee-Paym-Soo-Wuk

    Home     |     About Us     | Contact Us |     Partners     |     Sitemap    

The BeginningsThe People and Their CommunitiesCulture and Lifeways
Peter Erasmus

Page 1 | 2 | 3

Erasmus went on to detail how first Rev John McKay attempted to translate for the Commissioner, but had trouble with mixing in Saulteaux words, which Mistawasis objected to in the strongest way, saying "(We) demand to be spoken to in our own language."6 After trying again, with no less success, they requested that Peter Ballendine translate. Erasmus, though very angry at him for his slight in not greeting him, admitted that Ballendine translated well, but could not be heard beyond the front rows. There was more disorder and confusion as the men in the back demanded he speak louder. After he attempted to raise his voice, but choked and sat down, the Commissioner, getting tired of all the interruptions, said "Okay, Erasmus. Let this be your chance to justify your chiefs’ confidence in your work."

From that point on, things ran more smoothly. He detailed how when the Commissioner asked the First Nations to speak, Poundmaker, not a chief yet, stood and objected to being given little chunks of land, like breaking of pemmican, when the land was theirs to take what they wanted. Erasmus continued translating both sides of the dialogue over several days, toward the end, when a small group was still objecting to the treaty, Mistawasis gave a speech in which he spoke of the end of the buffalo and how the white traders, Long Knives, had made fools of the Blackfoot confederacy. He spoke of how the Queen and the Red Coats were attempting to save them from that end. Finally, he said,

The prairies have not been darkened by the blood of our white brothers in our time. Let this always be so. I for one will take the hand that is offered. For my band I have spoken.7

Erasmus told more on how what has been called "The famine clause" was added. That clause reads:

"That in the event hereafter of the Indians comprised within this treaty being overtaken by any pestilence, or by a general famine, the Queen, on being satisfied and certified thereof by Her Indian Agent or Agents, will grant to the Indians assistance of such character and to such extent as her Chief Superintendent of Indian Affairs shall deem necessary and sufficient to relieve the Indians of the calamity that shall have befallen them."8

His recollection of the discussion surrounding that make a very useful addition to Morris’ version of the event.9 Erasmus continued working as an employee of the company or the Government of Canada until he was 79 years old, at which time he was rewarded for his long years of service with a government pension. He lived to be almost 98 years old and is buried near Whitefish Lake.10

[Top] [Back]

Liens Rapides
Heritage Community Foundation The Alberta Online Encyclopedia The Alberta Lottery Fund

Albertasource.ca | Contact Us | Partnerships
            For more on Métis Alberta, visit Peel’s Prairie Provinces.
Copyright © Heritage Community Foundation All Rights Reserved