The Métis

At one time over 30,000 Métis lived in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Canada. The Métis are a mixed breed of Cree, Chippewa, French, English and Scottish heritage. They were driven out of Canada in the late 1880s with the death of their leader, Louis Riel, following the Red River Rebellion. Many of them fled into Montana fearing reprisals following the rebellion to continue their traditional lifestyle. They found homes in the sharp canyons and mountains to the west of Choteau.

Public Order 103 went out on May 1, 1883 calling for the expulsion of the Cree Indians that resulted in a death march through Augusta and Choteau. Many of the Montana Métis were swept up in this process, in spite of having been well established in the area communities.

While the story of the Canadian Métis is well documented, the story of the Montana Métis is just beginning to be understood. The Métis Cultural Recovery Trust has organized the historic cabin at the Old Trail Museum in Choteau and has re-created a “Red River” car at the museum grounds.