James McKay
Encyclopedia
James McKay was a fur trader, pioneer and pre Canadian confederation politician and interpreter.
father and First Nations
(possibly Métis) mother at the Hudson's Bay Company
's Edmonton House
. He was a fur-trader and guide/interpreter with the HBC and later became a political figure in the Red River Settlement.
McKay was educated at Red River and began work with the HBC in 1853. It is a testament to his skills that many distinguished visitors sought him out as a guide. He often met the HBC governor, George Simpson
in Crow Wing
, Minnesota and escorted him to Upper Fort Garry. In 1857, while at Fort Ellice
, he was engaged to guide the John Palliser
party from Fort Ellice (St Lazare, Man.) through the Saskatchewan plains to its winter quarters at Fort Carlton
(Sask.).
McKay married in 1859 and left the HBC in 1860, going into business for himself. He established his home west of the Forks
in present-day Manitoba and quickly became involved in this community. He was made a member of the Council of Assiniboia
in 1868, and caught up in the hostilities in the Red River Settlement during 1869–70. Because of his Métis heritage, he chose to leave the community for a short time. On his return, he was made a member of the provisional government. He was a brother to Angus McKay
who was active in the political unrest of the time.
After Manitoba became a province, he served in various elected capacities within its governments until his death. He was considered to have excellent judgment; but influenced strongly by the views of the Archbishop Alexandre-Antonin Taché
.
along with Pierre Delorme
and Joseph Royal
in 1873. These appointments were made in response to demand by Métis
who wanted representation in the government. While he was on the council he worked on dealing with problems affecting the native population. His skills, both as a negotiator and interpreter, made his input instrumental in a number of Treaty negotiations.
and Fort Pitt
in 1876.
Early life
McKay was born of a ScottishScottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
father and First Nations
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
(possibly Métis) mother at the Hudson's Bay Company
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
's Edmonton House
Fort Edmonton
Fort Edmonton was the name of a series of trading posts of the Hudson's Bay Company from 1795 to 1891, all of which were located in central Alberta, Canada...
. He was a fur-trader and guide/interpreter with the HBC and later became a political figure in the Red River Settlement.
McKay was educated at Red River and began work with the HBC in 1853. It is a testament to his skills that many distinguished visitors sought him out as a guide. He often met the HBC governor, George Simpson
George Simpson (administrator)
Sir George Simpson was a Scots-Quebecer and employee of the Hudson's Bay Company . His title was Governor-in-Chief of Rupert's Land and administrator over the Northwest Territories and Columbia Department in British North America from 1821 to 1860.-Early years:George Simpson was born in Dingwall,...
in Crow Wing
Crow Wing County, Minnesota
Crow Wing County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 62,500. Its county seat is Brainerd.-Geography:...
, Minnesota and escorted him to Upper Fort Garry. In 1857, while at Fort Ellice
Fort Ellice
Fort Ellice was a Hudson's Bay Company trading post built in 1831 in Rupert's Land near the junction of the Assiniboine and Qu'Appelle rivers. The fort was located in what is now west-central Manitoba, Canada, just east of that province's border with Saskatchewan.It was an important fort, as it was...
, he was engaged to guide the John Palliser
John Palliser
John Palliser was an Irish-born geographer and explorer. Born in Dublin, Ireland, he was the son of Colonel Wray Palliser and a brother of Major Sir William Palliser , all descendants of Dr William Palliser, Archbishop of Cashel .From 1839 to 1863, Palliser served in the Waterford Militia,...
party from Fort Ellice (St Lazare, Man.) through the Saskatchewan plains to its winter quarters at Fort Carlton
Fort Carlton
Fort Carlton was a Hudson's Bay Company fur trade post from 1810 until 1885. It was rebuilt by the Saskatchewan government as a provincial historic park and can be visited today...
(Sask.).
McKay married in 1859 and left the HBC in 1860, going into business for himself. He established his home west of the Forks
The Forks, Winnipeg, Manitoba
The Forks is a historic site and meeting place in Downtown Winnipeg located at the confluence of the Red River and Assiniboine River. For at least 6000 years, the Forks has been the meeting place for early Aboriginal peoples, and since colonization has also been a meeting place for European fur...
in present-day Manitoba and quickly became involved in this community. He was made a member of the Council of Assiniboia
Council of Assiniboia
The Council of Assiniboia was, from 1821 until 1870, the appointed administrative body of Rupert's Land.-History:This Council was created by the Hudson's Bay Company to govern the territory following its merger with the North West Company, and the death of Lord Selkirk...
in 1868, and caught up in the hostilities in the Red River Settlement during 1869–70. Because of his Métis heritage, he chose to leave the community for a short time. On his return, he was made a member of the provisional government. He was a brother to Angus McKay
Angus McKay (politician)
Angus McKay was a Canadian politician who represented the Conservative Party in the riding of Marquette, Manitoba. He was elected on 2 March 1871 in a by-election. His term ended on 8 July 1872. He was the first aboriginal Canadian elected to the House of Commons.He was born Auguste McKay at...
who was active in the political unrest of the time.
After Manitoba became a province, he served in various elected capacities within its governments until his death. He was considered to have excellent judgment; but influenced strongly by the views of the Archbishop Alexandre-Antonin Taché
Alexandre-Antonin Taché
Alexandre-Antonin Taché was a Roman Catholic priest, missionary of the Oblate order, author and the first Archbishop of Saint Boniface in the Canadian province of Manitoba.In late 1844 Taché entered the Oblate novitiate...
.
Northwest Territories Council
McKay was appointed as a Member of the Temporary North-West CouncilTemporary North-West Council
The Temporary North-West Council more formally known as the Council of the Northwest Territories and by its short name as the North-West Council lasted from the creation of Northwest Territories, Canada, in 1870 until it was dissolved in 1876...
along with Pierre Delorme
Pierre Delorme
Pierre Delorme was a Métis fur trader, businessman, farmer and political figure. He represented Provencher in the Canadian House of Commons during the 1st Canadian Parliament as a Conservative member from 1871 to 1872. He also represented St. Norbert South in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba...
and Joseph Royal
Joseph Royal
Joseph Royal was a Canadian journalist, lawyer, politician, businessman, and Lieutenant Governor of the Northwest Territories.-Early life and career:...
in 1873. These appointments were made in response to demand by Métis
Métis people (Canada)
The Métis are one of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada who trace their descent to mixed First Nations parentage. The term was historically a catch-all describing the offspring of any such union, but within generations the culture syncretised into what is today a distinct aboriginal group, with...
who wanted representation in the government. While he was on the council he worked on dealing with problems affecting the native population. His skills, both as a negotiator and interpreter, made his input instrumental in a number of Treaty negotiations.
Indian Treaty Negotiations
James McKay probably made his most important contributions in the settlement of Indian land claims. He was part of the negotiation of Indian Treaties No 1 (Lower Fort Garry) and No 2 (Manitoba Post on Lake Manitoba) in 1871. He continued with No 3 (North West Angle of Lake of the Woods) in 1873. In 1875 he was a commissioner for Treaty No 5 that was negotiated at Winnipeg. He also worked on Treaty No 6 which was signed at Fort CarltonFort Carlton
Fort Carlton was a Hudson's Bay Company fur trade post from 1810 until 1885. It was rebuilt by the Saskatchewan government as a provincial historic park and can be visited today...
and Fort Pitt
Fort Pitt
Fort Pitt may refer to:*Fort Pitt , on the site of present-day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States*Fort Pitt, Kent, in the United Kingdom*Fort Pitt , a trading post of the Hudson's Bay Company in Canada...
in 1876.