Page 63 - Fortier Family History

1998 INAC Study: Robinson Treat Métis Historical Report On June 23,1880. the Chief. Second Chief, HB ("Halfbreed") Chief and people of Pic River petitioned the Governor General in Council for a reserve. This petition reads as follows: “The petition of the Indians and half-breeds of the Pic River Lake Superior, humbly sheweth: That your petitioners have settled in good number, or propose to settle on land on both sides of the Pic River, near its mouth, immediately north of the property of the Hudson's Bay Company. That those who have already given their attention to the cultivation of the soil have been amply repaid for their work by fair crops of various kinds, and consequently enjoy already a greater comfort. That many others of our Band have determined to settle on land near us, expecting thereby to better their condition. That we beg of Your Excellency, as the worthy Representative of our Beloved Queen, the king mother of Her Indian subjects, to give us as a Reservation said land on both sides of the Pic River, immediately north of the land belonging to the Hudson's Bay Company from its mouth, northwards for a distance of fifteen miles with a width of one and a half mile on each side of the River. That only three small Reserves were left by the Robinson Treaty to the Indians on the north shore of Lake Superior, that the nearest Reserve is fully one hundred miles from this place, and that our number has more than doubled since 1850 when the Treaty was made. That though our number was considerable at that time, no Reserve was secured to us by said Treaty owing to the conduct of our chief, who instead of going to Sault Ste. Marie, withdrew to the interior of the land, being afraid of falling into a snare. And your Petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray.”