Cuthbert Grant- Battle of Seven Oaks- June 19, 1816

The HBC and NWC were constant rivals for furs and pemmican

Macdonell, the governor of the Red River Colony had a plan

These settlers need all pemmican so the Metis must sell here.

The Pemmican Proclamation gave Red River food so dear.

The Metis and NWC refused the control of the Proclamation.

Selling furs and pemmican is our choice with acclamation.

In 1816 Cuthbert Grant regained some stolen pemmican

They were stopped at Seven Oaks by Semple’s HBC clan.

The Metis enjoyed a victory and significant Metis autonomy

They were exonerated by a Royal Commissioner antinomy.

Cuthbert Grant went on to make his unique mark in history

Peace re-established, he became “Warden of the Plains.”

In 1839 he became a Counsellor of Assiniboia- his style

-Next a Magistrate to make his years seem worthwhile.

His effort to maintain peace won him respect and more

A plaque hung at the Francois-Xavier Town Office décor.

Written By Carol Howard Vulliamy- Metis Elder- 2010

The first treaty, in what is now a part of Manitoba, was made in
pursuance of a purchase of the old District of Assiniboia from the
Hudson's Bay Company in 1811 by Lord Selkirk, who in that year sent
out the first batch of colonists from the north of Scotland to Red
River. The Indian title to the land, however, was not conveyed by
the Crees and Saulteaux until 1817, when Peguis and others of their
chiefs ceded a portion of their territory for a yearly payment of
a quantity of tobacco. The ceded tract extended from the mouth
of the Red River southward to Grand Forks, and, westward, along
the Assiniboine River to Rat Creek, the depth of the reserve being
the distance at which a white horse could be seen on the plains,
though this matter is not very clear. The British boundary at that
time ran south of Red Lake, and would still so run but for the
indifference of bygone Commissioners. This purchase became the
theatre of Lord Selkirk's far-seeing scheme of British settlement
in the North-West, with whose varying fortunes and romantic history
the average reader is familiar.