Peter Erasmus


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		Peter Erasmus Page 1 \| 2 \| 3 He was unhappy to note that accompanying the Commissioners were two men hired by the Treaty Commission as translators, but Mistawasis told him, "I have been told that the Governor has hired two other translators. However, we have decided to pay you ourselves, even if the Governor does not." He was also not happy at not being recognized or greeted by the Commission group, most of whom were acquainted with him. Governor Morris greeted the chiefs and introduced the translators in their party, Peter Ballenden and the Reverend John McKay. Mistawasis replied that they, on the advise of Lawrence Clark, had hired Peter Erasmus, reputed to be the best interpreter in the west. Lawrence Clark made his excuses, that Erasmus lived too far away, and that he did not know they had engaged him. The Commissioner tried to dissuade the chiefs, say that there was no need for them to go to the extra expense, for the interpreters were provided. The chiefs stood firm. "Very well, you keep your interpreters and we will keep ours. We will pay our own man and I already see that it will be well for us to do so" When the Commissioner reiterated that there was no need for the extra expense, Mistawasis continued, "Our man will interpret as well as yours. I can speak Blackfoot and I know what it takes to interpret. If you do not want the arrangement, there will be no talks. We did not send for you, you sent for us." ² Finally the Commissioner agreed, and arranged for them all to meet the next day. The next day, after much pomp and circumstance and ceremony, both European and First Nations, when everyone was settled in their places, the Honourable James McKay got up and requested Peter Erasmus to go up front and interpret the Governor’s speech. Erasmus refused, based on the agreement of the previous night, saying that he considered it the duty of the Government’s paid servants. McKay insisted the Erasmus interpret. Erasmus again refused. Mistawasis asked him in an undertone if he thought he could interpret. Erasmus assured him he could and would, but wanted to make a point first, by letting the other men interpret first. Mistawasis stood up. He waited until everyone was silent. "This is number one," he said, showing his index finger. "Already you have broken your word on what you have agreed"; Erasmus stood beside him and interpreted word for word. All the Indians stood and crowded up behind their chief. The North West Mounted Police were kept busy keeping order. Erasmus said that he truthfully had not expected either James McKay’s insistence or the reaction of the First Nations people. His real objections to the other interpreters arose out of their lack of ability in Plains Cree. As he said: I knew that Peter Ballenden had not the education or practice to interpret, and his voice had no carrying quality to make himself heard before all this large assembly. The Rev McKay³ had learned his Cree among the Swampy and Saulteaux. While there was a similarity in some words, and I had learned both languages, the Prairie Cree would not understand his Cree. Further, the Prairie Crees looked down on the Swampy and Saulteaux as an inferior race. They would be intolerant at being addressed in Swampy or Saulteaux words. I knew that McKay was not sufficiently versed in the Prairie Cree to confine his interpretation to their own language. The Reverend Mr. McDougall was busy trying to calm Bear Skin,⁴ the most irate and the loudest of any of the crowd. Both leading chiefs stood without saying a word while all the fuss went on. Finally Big Child was satisfied that the Government party had been sufficiently chastised. He waved to those immediately surrounding him to be seated, and as before, with a few words, restored order.⁵ [Top] [Back]