Evidence on the Adequacy of First Nations Consultation - BC Hydro ...

they are mentioned in Post Journals as visiting the Jasper House Post during October, 1827; January,
March, November and December, 1828; November, 1829; November and December, 1830; and
March and April, 1831. 57 This material, however, is inconclusive about which passes through the
Rockies were used by the Kinbasket Shuswap during this period. 58
In this, it appears that the Shuswap were encouraged in that direction through the express strategy of
Governor George Simpson. 59 For example, when camping at Big Bend in 1824 with some
“Freemen” [trappers] and their followers, Simpson discovered that these Freemen
"were preparing to go on a War Expedition against a poor helpless inoffensive tribe of Indians
"Shewhoppes", natives of the North branch of Thompsons River knowing them to be weak and
unprovided with the means of defense and solely with a view to plunder and gain themselves renown as
Warriors by taking a few Scalps without incurring danger...I have been anxious to encourage those
Indians to frequent the Establishment in the Mountain [Rocky Mountain House, according to the Merck
footnote] in order to draw them from Thompsons River as in the event of their being prevailed on to go
the former place for their supplies and with their returns we should be enabled to abandon that heavy
and unprofitable Establishment [Fort Thompson, according to a Merck footnote] for a Year or two, but
this unprovoked warfare was likely to defeat my plans; on the score of humanity as well of interest. I
therefore spoke my Mind very plainly to those freemen, told them we meant to protect the Shewhoppes
and if they did not instantly abandon their cruel intentions they should not this Winter have even a
particle of ammunition at any of our Establishments and that next Season they should be bundled down
to Canada where starvation & misery would follow them. This lecture had the desired effect and they
promised that they would no longer entertain hostile feelings towards those people. Those freemen are
fully in our power and if they break their promise I shall keep my word in regard to them.
Although Simpson never visited the Upper Columbia beyond Big Bend, his policies may have had a
major impact on its aboriginal history.
On the ground this movement of the Shuswap was strongly facilitated by their connection to the
engaging Quebecois free trader Francois Morigeau, who trapped and hunted in the area, travelled and
camped frequently with them and generally sold his furs to Jasper House. 60 Flannigan notes that
even though they were called “free”, these traders “were issued letter orders similar to military
orders, telling them exactly where they could go and who they could employ.” 61
As noted, the documentation located is inconclusive about when the Kinbasket Band actually settled
in the Columbia Valley. For example, De Smet’s letter of September 9, 1845 indicates that Morigeau
with his “little family” accompanied by three Shuswap families had traveled “in all haste” to meet
him near the source of the Columbia in order to secure long desired baptisms. However, where they
travelled from and whether this was permanent settlement is not indicated.
In an article written on his passing 62 , Baptiste Morigeau is quoted as saying his father first came to
the East Kootenays in 1819 with a Swampy Cree wife, who returned east after some years, leaving
57 HBCA B.97/e-1, 2 and 3. It is possible that the Shuswaps had been visiting the post for several years prior to 1827
since it opened in 1821, but the available Post Journals only run from 1827-1831.
58 For example, Yellowknife Pass may have provided an easier and more direct route than the Athabaska Pass.
59 Merk, George Simpson’s Journal…1824-1825, p.30
60 B.97/e-1 and 3
61 Flannigan, 2001, p. 19
62 Taken from a reprint of Basil Hamilton’s article in the Cranbrook Courier, Jan. 21, 1932, copy in the Fort Steele
archive [Dave Kay Fonds, No. 43-44].
24
Page 168 of 200