|
OPERATED BY THE
ST. VITAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC.,
A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES TO PRESERVE AND PROMOTE THE HISTORY OF THE
"CITY OF ST. VITAL".
IF YOU WISH TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE ST. VITAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY OR DONATE TO THE MUSEUM,
PLEASE CONTACT US AT:
email: svhs@mts.net
phone: (204) 255-2864
Mail:
St. Vital Museum
600 St. Mary's Road
Winnipeg, MB, R2M 3L5
Charitable tax receipts are issued for donations $10.00 and over.
|
St. Vital History
Agriculture
The Origins of St. Vital
The community of St. Vital dates back to the 1820's when permanent homes were first
set up just 10 years after the original party of Selkirk Settlers landed in Red River
in 1812. Coming from down river from the Pembina region, these buffalo hunters and their
families were the pioneer settlers of this locality.
When the Selkirk Settlers arrived in Red River in 1812, they discovered that the two
fur companies maintained posts along the Red River (Fort Pembina) and along the Assiniboine
River (Portage La Prairie, Brandon House, Montaigne La Basse near Birtle and Alexandria
near Fort Pelly). These posts were established on the margins of Plains country and their
trade was largely in provisions such as dried meat and pemmican.
They also found that a number of French-speaking people, who had been formerly employed by
the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company, had settled in the
vicinity of Pembina and Devil's Lake and were making
a living as independent hunters selling their products to these fur trade establisments. The Selkirk colonists
soon erected a post of their own, Fort Daer, to be near to the buffalo hunters where they
spent the winters.
The Pembina region, however, was on the northern border of Sioux territory and in 1822 the
hunters moved their headquarters north, a portion settling at White Horse Plains
(what is now St. Francois Xavier, MB) and the balance formed the nucleus of St. Vital.
Three generations of one St. Vital family, Marie-Anne Lagimodière (née Gaboury), Louis Riel Sr.
the "Miller of the Seine", and Louis Riel Jr. all helped make the history of Manitoba.
Marie-Anne Lagimodière was the maternal grandmother of Louis Riel and was the very first
woman of European descent on record to set up her home in the Canadian West, settling in 1807.
When Louis Riel Jr., her grandson, led his band of Métis into Fort Garry to take possession of
the Hudson's Bay Company's Post and run the affairs of the Red River Colony, he more or less
was following a precedent set by his father, Louis Riel Sr., the "Miller of the Seine". For it
was this same miller and son-in-law of Marie-Anne Lagimodière who, a generation later with 500
Métis under arms, took steps which were to complete the breaking up of the Hudson's Bay Company
monopoly of the fur trade in the Canadian West. This miller is described by some historians as
a "brave and restless man with a dominating influence" and "a fierce and noisy revolutionist ready
for any extremity".
In the late 1830's, more and more clashes were occurring with the Hudson's Bay Company and the
free traders. The Company held a charter of monopoly on the fur trade; men were not permitted to
deal elsewhere than at the Company's posts without incurring penalties, sometimes even jail.
Louis Riel Sr. was an active participant in the Red River Métis community.
There is no evidence that the miller was a free trader or wished to trade outside the Company's
posts but in 1849, four Métis traders had been arrested and thrown in jail, including his friend, Guillaume (William)
Sayer. The trial of the four was the signal for action. It was set for Ascension Day which gave the
Métis a chance to gather for service without attracting attention, and attend service in St. Boniface
Cathedral they did, parking 500 firing pieces outside the building.
George Bryce's book "Romantic Settlement of Lord Selkirk's Colonists" gives the following account:
"At the close of the service, Riel, "the Miller of the Seine," made a fiery oration, advocating the
rescue of their compatriot Sayer, who was to be held for trial at the Court House. under Riel's direction,
by a concerted action, movement of the whole body was made to cross the Red River and march to the
Court House, which stood beside the wall of Fort Garry. To allow the five hundred men to cross easily,
Point Douglas was selected, and here by ferry boats, said to have been provided by James Sinclair,
the party crossed, and worked up to the highest pitch of excitement, stalked up the mile or two to the
Court House. Sayer's case was called first, but he was held by the Metis outside of the Court room.
Sayer was then brought in, guarded by twenty of his compatriots, fully armed, while fifty Metis guards
stood at the gates of the Court House enclosure. An attempt was then made to select a jury, but it was
fruitless. Sayer next confessed that he had traded for furs with an Indian. The Court then gave a
verdict of guilty, whereupon Sayer proved that a Hudson's Bay officer named Harriott, had given him
authority to trade. The other three cases against the Metis were not proceeded with, and Governor,
Recorder, officials and spectators all left the Court room, the mob being of the impression that the
prisoners had been acquitted, and that trading for furs was no longer illegal. Though this was not the
decision yet the crowd so took it up, and made the welkin ring with shouts (Le Commerce est libre,
vive la liberté) "Commerce is free, long live liberty"."
From that time on, trade slipped more and more into the hands of the independent traders working out
from the centre, then known as Fort Garry and now as Winnipeg. Riel continued to fight for the rights
of the Métis and was instrumental in them gaining representation on the Council of Assiniboia and for
French to be used in the Assiniboia courts as well as English. His son Louis was likely influenced greatly
by his father's actions. Louis Jr. continued in his father's steps to become the most famous Métis
leader and the "Father of Manitoba".
The "Miller of the Seine", Louis Riel Sr., father of the rebel chief Louis Riel Jr., operated his mill
beside a ravine running into the Seine River. His house, and later Louis Jr.'s home, was also located
on the Seine, about 150 feet north of what is now John Bruce Road.
|
