Our Heritage

I am Métis.

Initially, the introduction to my heritage was somewhat benign. As a youngster, I was introduced to the flora and fauna of this land by my Mother. She seemed to have a supernatural connection to the animals around her, which continues to this day. During a visit to the Crow Reservation in Wyoming as a young girl, I started to develop an interest and appreciation for the Indigenous peoples of this land. I immediately started making crafts similar to what I saw on the Crow Reserve - I fell in love with Native crafts. 

Several years later, a family member, doing genealogical research, uncovered connections that I unknowingly had with my own Indigenous background. No longer just an interest that intrigued me, it was actually a part of my own heritage. My subconscious connection to the crafts that I saw at the Crow Reservation all made sense.

My family history: 

• In 1755, White Bear a Cree, was born at York Factory (Ruperts Land). He and his wife Agathaas gave birth in 1772 to Catherine Tenanse.
  • 1794, Catherine married Henry Hallett at Red River. They had adaughter – Elizabeth (Metis) - born 1814
  • 1828, Elizabeth met and married Alban Fidler (Metis) at Sweet Grass Montana. That same year they had a daughter named Elizabeth (Metis).
  • 1855, Elizabeth married John Palmer Bourke Jr (Metis). They had a daughter Victoria in 1865 (Metis) who is my GG Grandmother.
• In 1749, Chief Mackagonne was born into the Swampy Cree nation. He had a daughter Methwewin (Mary) who was born in 1771. 
  • 1794, Mary married the famous explorer Peter Fidler with whom she had many children. From 1794 to 1812, they travelled together through Canada with 8 children in tow, mapping and exploring virtually all of Western Canada. 
  • 1809, Alban (Metis) was born at Oxford Lake, Rupert’s Land. In 1828, he met married Elizabeth Hallett (Metis) at Sweet Grass, Montana.  They have a daughter, Elizabeth (Metis) in 1828.
• In 1740, Wagjeea Tonka -Good Thunder, a Wahpeton Sioux, was born in the Minnesota territory. He and his wife, Hi Hu Ti Na, gave birth to Ninse Little Bear in 1775 near Kaposia Landing, Minnesota Territory. 
  • 1790, Ninse married the notorious Indian agent and fur trader Archibald Campbell. They had at least 2 children, one being Nancy (Metis) in 1797.
  • 1808, Archibald Campbell was killed in a duel. In his will he provided nothing for his indigenous family. Ninse and Nancy were “adopted” by the Johnson family of Sault Ste Marie.
• In 1812, John Palmer Bourke from County Mayo, Ireland, arrives with the Selkirk Settlers at Red River.
  • 1814 – 1816, involved with the capture of Fort Gibraltar, John was wounded at the Battle of Seven Oaks. He came with cannon to Seven Oaks to try to save his Hudson’s Bay Company associates but arrived too late. Badly wounded, he was captured by the North West Company men. He was then obliged to spend two years in Montreal defending himself against criminal charges but was acquitted. Since he was broke, he started walking back to Red River in 1819, however he was recaptured at Fort William and returned to Montreal. Again, his charges were dismissed and he began his long walk again. 
  • 1821, On the way back to Red River, he met Nancy Campbell (Metis), then living with the Johnson family in Sault Ste Marie. Together they left the Sault and reached Red River. They were formally married by Rev. John West. Over the years they had 7 children. Their second born in 1822, is John Jr.
  • 1847, John Jr. (Metis), marries Elizabeth Fidler (Metis). Their Daughter is Victoria Bourke (1865) (Metis).
• In 1920, Victoria’s grandson, Jack (Metis) is born. Jack was the one of the few Indigenous men to serve as an RCAF pilot in World War 2, piloting a PBY in the Indian Ocean completing pilot rescue and bombing missions. Jack was my grandfather.

My ancestors are intricately woven into the fabric of Canada and played a significant part in the development of the west – mapping, trading and trapping. We were on both sides of the Pemmican wars, both sides of the Northwest rebellion, and protagonists of the Dakota War of 1862. The struggle for Metis rights continues to this day. 

Living in Ontario, I am a proud member of the Metis Nation of Ontario.

• 1755 - White Bear 
  • 1772 - Catherine Tenanse/Hallett 
  • 1814 - Elizabeth Hallett/Fidler (Metis) 
  • 1828 - Elizabeth Fidler/Bourke (Metis) 
  • 1865 - Victoria Bourke/Good (Metis)
• 1749 - Chief Mackagonne 
  • 1771 - Methwewin Mackagonne/Fidler 
  • 1809 -  Alban Fidler (Metis) 
  • 1828 - Elizabeth Fidler/Bourke (Metis) 
  • 1865 - Victoria Bourke/Good (Metis)
• 1740 - Wagjeea Tonka (Good Thunder) 
  • 1775 - Ninse Little Bear 
  • 1797 - Nancy Campbell (Metis) 
  • 1822 - John Palmer Bourke Jr. (Metis) 
  • 1865 - Victoria Bourke/Good (Metis)