James Isbister
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James Isbister (29 November 1833 – 16 October 1915) was a Canadian Métis leader of the nineteenth century. Prominent among the Anglo-Metis of the area, he is considered by some to be the founder of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. An interpreter for the Hudson's Bay Company for many years, Isbister was talented linguistically speaking English, Gaelic, Cree, Dene and Michif.
Isbister began farming in the summer of 1862 one mile east of the present day federal penitentiary at Prince Albert. By 1866 when Isbister moved away several families were living in the district which was known as Isbister's Settlement. James was probably the first man in what is now Saskatchewan to grow wheat. He also worked on the John Smith Reserve (currently the Muskoday First Nation) as a farm instructor.
By 1884 settler and Metis discontent was growing rapidly due to poor agricultural conditions and unresolved land issues in the Saskatchewan Valley region. As a community leader Isbister was selected as one of the four delegates (along with Gabriel Dumont) sent to recall Louis Riel from Montana to represent the people. Riel's return and continuing political agitation would culminate in the Northwest Rebellion of the following year (1885).
Like most other Anglo-Metis of the area Isbister dissassociated himself from the movement lead by Riel when tensions erupted in violence. Despite this he was denounced by the Conservative press in Prince Albert.
Following the Northwest Rebellion Isbister was active in the Anglican Church of Canada in the Prince Albert area, and lived out his last days in that community.
[edit] References
- Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
- Abrams, Gary W. D. (1966). Prince Albert: The First Century. Modern Press, Saskatoon.
- Lamontagne, Manon, Monique Lamontagne, Verna Redhead, Bob Serjeant, & Bill Smiley (1984). The Voice of the People: Reminiscences of the Prince Albert Settlement’s Early Citizens 1866–1895. Marion Press Ltd., Battleford, Saskatchewan.
