FOURTH OPEN LETTER PAGE
by Kenny Morin
RED RIVER HALF INDIAN NATION
I would like to thank these
Countries for entering our site and sharing in Educational awareness in
regards to our concerns, their support, encouragement, friendship will
always be appreciated.
Red River Half Breed Indian
Nation.
Major Domains
New Zealand
Italy
Canada
Singapore
Malaysia
Saudi Arabia
Spain
Netherland
Australia
Switzerland
Indonesia
UK
Taiwan
Hong Kong
Denmark
Turkey
Poland
France
United Arab Emirate Peru
Japan
Germany
Argentina
Lebanon
Beligium
Brazil
Malta
Finland
US
Thaland
Zambabewe
Leader of The Red River
Half Indian Nation
Kenny Morin
Red River Half Breed Indians
Winnipeg,Manitoba
The Red River Half Indians the buffalohunters established the Forks in Red River Indian Territory , Red River as there reserve. Of the various Intertribel Nations who lived and died there and buried were the off spring of Indian and Europien Unions. The Half Breeds also established the NWCo with the help of various NWCo explorers one being Alexander McDonell. Prior NWCo explorers are Alexander Henry the Younger leaving us his journel 1799 - 1814.
Regarding Our Treaty
In the Treaty and proposal againtest the Hudson's Bay Company three years after following the establishment of the Selkirk Colony which came into existance in 1812 with the arrival of the first contingent of Selkirk Settlers, the Treaty signed by the Four Half Indian Chiefs, they being Shaw,Grant,Pangman,Monteur and dated Red River Indian Territory Forks Red River 25th of June 1815.
Again it clearly shows in response and call for, Peace, by the Red River Settlement 25th June 1815 of the Forks situated on the Half Breed Reserve of The Red River Half Breed Indians.
Cuthbert Grant one of the Chiefs of the Half Breeds was also Councilor of Assiniboia 1850 and also appointed sheriff, District of Assiniboia given Title of "Warden of the Plains". I am a relative of him.
Six days short of the fallowing year and signing of the Half Indian Treaty in Red River Indian Territory Forks Red River 25th June 1815 againest the Hudson's Bay Co and Selkirk Colony,
That being June 19th 1816 the Seven Oaks incident Cuthbert Grant Chief of the Half Indians a party of Half Breed members of the NWCo headed across Frog Plains west of Point Douglais. They coming in from rifle sites of Fort Douglais. Where Robert Semple and his head Quarters had been stationed. Semple, recently appointed Governor of the Selkirk Settlers in Red River Indian Territory by Lord Selkirk himself.
Tho' Semple should of been appointed by the Half Indians of Red River Indian Territory. But yet he was not. At least negotiable with might of worked. Robert Semple with a group of Settlers and HBCo employees clashed with the Half Breeds of NWCo. In the end result Semple and twenty one of his men and only one of NWCo employees, were killed.
This Battle of Seven Oaks, loss of life, I say can be compared to the failure of Treaty and failure of proper History told of this country to the incoming of Immigration settlers the new commers.
NWCo there rival HBCo later both united into one body. But in Winnipeg 2003 today we have the NWCo and HBCo as seperate institutions. NWCo sits/stands on Main St HBCo sits/stands on Colony St. Which ever way its looked at this still remains Indian Country. Our buriel grounds are at the Forks in various sites as told in the Journel of Alexander Henry the Younger. Thank you.
Chief Council
Kenny Morin
Red River Half Indian Nation
18th July 2003
RED RIVER HALF BREED INDIAN NATION
Winnipeg, MB,
Animikii Meggazee
Head Chief
Kenny Morin
Chief Council
For Immediate Release
Rene Laroche
Hed Man
From: "J Blanchard
To: buffalohunter2002@yahoo.ca
Subject: burials at the
forks
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2003
17:00:09 -0500
Hi, I read about the attempt
to stop the building of the hotel at the forks. As proof of the existence
of an aboriginal burial ground there, you may or may not be aware of a
paper by Charles N. Bell called "The Old Forts of Winnipeg" published by
the Manitoba Historical Society in 1927. It was reprinted in a book
I edited called "A Thousand Miles of Prairie", U of Manitoba Press, 2002.
On page 206 of my book, Bell is talking about seeing what he thought were
the remains of Fort Gibraltar near the forks. He says that the remains
of the fort had been washed into the Red River. "Steele drew to my
attention several much decayed human bones and one skull close to the water's
edge, which had apparently rolled down from near the funeral ground level
of the bank through under-mining by the heavy spring flood. (Henry in 1800
refers to the extensive Indian graveyard hereabouts)."Henry he means Alexander
Henry and I have not checked but I assume he is referring to "The Journal
of Alexander Henry the Younger 1799-1814".
In Dr Elliott Coues edited with critical commentary of The Manuscript Journals Of Alexander Henry Fur Trader of the NWCo 1799-1814 (aka-New Light On The Early History Of The Greater North West).Published by Ross & Haines, Inc. Minneapolis, Minnesota
In one of the foot notes which I thought was interesting Coues refers to Mr. Bell , L, c., p.4 cites Henry, believing that he refers to Fort Rouge, and that what he says shows it was on the N. side of the Assiniboine, and not on the S., as generally has been supposed.
Mr. Bell believes that he has determined the exact spot; viz., the Indian graveyard Henry speaks of: "even as late as 1870", Coues says. "When I arrived at Fort Garry, the thicket of willows and brambles which stretched along what is now the east side of Main Street, from near the entrance of Graham St., south to York St., covered the site of an extensive Indian grave yard, and was evidently the locality mentioned by Henry as the resort of the watersnakes."
This tells me the Archeologists map was right of the hand drawn sketch made in 1988 by the Archeologist employed by The Forks in which Judge MacInnes said was not considered accurate. In the Winnipeg Free Press, Wednesday June 11, 2003 Articule which was echoed map not considered accurate. As I said once before Judges can be wrong in their judgements. This has been a good example.
Clearly indicates the map is correct that the Forks is of buriel grounds at various sites in that area. What the Red River Half Indians are Saying is very much true.
Chief Council
Kenny Morin
Red River Half Indian Nation
Mr Rene Laroche,Winnipeg
Archaeologist informed me of this information.
In Dr.George Bryce of Winnipeg,President
of the Royal Society of Canada
in his book "The Romantic
Settlement of Lord Selkirk Colonists,The Pioneers of Manitoba." 1909,He
recognises Indian buriel grounds he calls "The Mound Builders." Page 13.
Quote
Long before the coming of the settlers,there lived a race who have now entirely disappeared. Not very far from the Assiniboine River,where Main Street crosses it,is now to be seen,says the narrator,
1."Fort Garry a fine castellated
structure with stone walls and substantial
bastions. A little north
of this you may have noticed a round mound,forty feet across. We open this
mound on one occasion, and found it to contain a number of human skeletons,articles
of various kinds.
The remains are those of a people whom we call "The Mound Builders" who ages ago lived here. Their mounds stood on high places on the river bank and were used for observation. The enemy approaching could from these mounds easily be seen. They are also found in good agricultural districts,showing that the race were agriculturists, and where the fishing is good on the river or lake these mounds occur. The Mound Builders are the first people of whom we have traces here about.
The Indians say that these Mound Builders are not their ancestors,but are the"Very Ancient Men". It is thought that the last of them passed away some four hundred years ago,just before the coming of the White man.
At that time a fierce whirlwind of conquest passed over North America,which was seen in the destruction of the Hurons,who lived in Ontario and Quebec. Some of their implements found were copper,probably brought from Lake Superior,but stone axes,hammers,chisels,were commonly used by them. A horn spear,with barbs, and a fine shell sinker,shows that they lived on fish. Strings of beads,fine pearl ornaments are readily found.
But the most notable thing
about these people is that they were far ahead of the Indians,in that they
made pottery,with brightly designed patterns which showed some taste. Very
likely these Mound Builders were peaceful
people,who,driven out of
Mexico many centuries ago,came up the Mississippi and from its branches
passing into Red River,settled all along its banks. We know but little
of this vanished race. They have left only a few features of their work
behind them. Their name and fame lost forever.
"And is this all,an earthen
pot
A broken spear,a copper
pin
Earth's grandest prizes
counted in
A burial mound,the common
lot". end Quote
In the book "Mysteries of the past" by Lionel Casson,Robert Claiborne,Brian Fagan,Walter Karp,editor Joseph J.Thornedike,Jr. Published by-American Heritage Publishing Co.Inc Page 121 Mound picture Page 126 in "Mysteries" book
Quote
The Jefferson Dig, a series of trial trenches and a larger cutting, was one the first American excavations undertaken to obtain answers to specific questions. The mound he chose was about 40 feet across and 12 feet deep. He found that it contained "collections of human bones,at different depths,from six inches to three feet below the surface". The bones had been "heaped in promiscuous confusion".
There were at least three layers of human remains,so carefully laid out that Jefferson concluded his mound was a regular buriel place in which as many as a thousand bodies had been deposited. He also discovered that his mound was "of considerable notoriety among the Indians". Only some 30 years before a party of Indians had been observed worshiping at the tumulus. Almost certainly,their ancestors had built it. end Quote
Chief Council Kenny Morin
Red River Half Breed Indian
Nation
1.Dr.Elliott Coues "New
Light On The Early History Of The Greater NorthWest" Manuscript Journels
of Alexander Henry and David Thompson 1799-1814 Vol 1 Page 44 foot notes
Indian Graveyard. Read the book.
The Red River Half Breed People of Manitoba Inc was in Court to stop the construction of a hotel 'The Inn" being built on the burial grounds our Ancesters,
Monday 9th and Tuesday 10th of June 2003. It was sad to hear judge MacInnes say The Forts was "not a burial ground but a meeting place". It seem to me the judge was listening.
Maybe if we had received and used the Journal of Alexander Henry theYounger 1799-1814 ( thank you, J Blanchard, Editor of "A thousand miles of Prairie") as evidence about Indian burial grounds at the Forks we could of proofed our point. It came one day to late. Even in Charles N. Bell papers "The Old Forts of Winnipeg" Published by the Manitoba Historical Society in 1927. refers to Indian Burial grounds at the forks page 19 Titled Fort Gibraltar
It's proof of the existence of an aboriginal burial ground there. Quote -Alexander Henrys Journal, Monday (August) 18th In short time we arrived at the forks where the assineboine river forms a juncture with the red river, the former coming in from the westward whilst the latter continues to keep its direct course south. I found 40 Saulteaux waiting my arrival.
Tuesday (August) 19 Snakes. They appear to lurk and breed in the old graves, of which there is an uncommon number upon this spot it having been a place of great resort for many nations many years ago in 1781+2 and at the time the small pox made such havock in this country many hundreds of men, women, and children died and was buried here. Judges can be wrong in their decisions. Even tho they don't want to be.
Chief Council
Kenny Morin
Red River Half Breed Indians
In Alfred Silvers Book "RED
RIVER STORY." published by Ballantine of New York. Quote page 186
it reads of:
Cuthbert Grants sister,
Josephte Grant was married to John Wills. John Wills
upon his death was put
into the ground in a corner of the Fort Gibraltar.They filed down the ladder
and into the bourgeois's house, through to the sleeping quarters at the
back with its stifling smell of sickness. John Wills was lying on his back
with the bedclothes humped over the gargantuan swell of his belly, his
face bloated and gray his clouded eyes staring through the ceiling. His
left arm dangled from the bed.
In part four of Mr Silvers
book "Sacrificial Lion." Page 457 it reads taking into consideration
The Selkirk Treaty 1817.
Word came out that the
Earl of Selkirk was negotiating a treaty with Chief Peguis, the first Indian
land treaty west of the Great Lakes. Selkirk wanted to secure every possible
facet of legitimacy for his colony. There was a certain controversy, though,
that Selkirk didn't know about - namely, that the Sioux,Cree,and Assiniboine
who had been spearing each other back and forth across the Forks of the
Red for generations didn't quite know how a Saulteaux Chief like Peguis
got the right to sign the land away
When it fact the first Half
Breed Indian Treaty was signed on 25th June
1815, Red River Indian
Territory, Forks, Red River.
The settlement at Red River
in 1817 which Lord Selkirk is visiting.
Cree and Ojibwa sign treaty
surrendering Red River holdings
July 18, 1817
RED RIVER. Rupert's Land
- The Earl of Selkirk met earlier today with a party of Ojibwa and Cree
chiefs and warriors. Through an agreement with them he believes he has
extinguished the Indian title to land along the Red and Assiniboine rivers,
from the mouth of the Red River as far south as Red Lake River. and along
the Assiniboine River beyond Portage la Prairie to Musk Rat Creek. This
is the first treaty made with the Indians in the western interior of British
North America. At the signing. Selkirk said the depth of the land Indians
are surrendering is the greatest distance at which you could see a horse
on the level prairie, or you could see daylight under his belly between
his legs. In return for the land. Selkirk promised to pay 100 pounds of
good quality tobacco annually to both the Ojibwas and the Cree. The agreement
has not pleased everyone. Some Cree are furious the Ojibwa latecomers to
the region brought here by the North West Company 30 years ago are included.
The angry Cree say their tribe and the Assiniboine, who now live further
east(west), deserve the payment for the settlers' use of Indian land at
the Red River.
Chief Peguis has signed
the treaty.
Comment
"Chief Peguis originally
came from Sioux Saint Marie, now part of Ontario." Kenny Morin RRHBIN
RED RIVER HALF BREED INDIAN NATION
This Affidavit appeared
in the "NorWester Paper" June 14 or 19 1860
Titled "THE LAND QUESTION"
land set aside for Half Breeds. Reads.
- In the beginning
of March,a meeting of Half Breeds was held,to consider whether amidst the
various claims now put forth for the country,they could not also urge such
a claim as would entitle them to consideration when the time arrives for
a general settlement of affairs here. That meeting of which
we published an account
at the time,was adjourned until the beginning of May, when accordingly
it was held,M.Pascal Berland chairman. The conclusions resolved on at the
first meeting were re-affirmed after some discussion,and then a statement
upon oath was abtained from old Andre Trutier who was a
witness to the land arrangement
made by Lord Selkirk with the Indian Chiefs. Trutier says that there were
only two others present besides himself-Nolin,the interpreter,and one Bruce,the
father,he thinks,of the Bruces who live up the main river. He says that
he remembers distinctly the arrangement made,which was that Lord Selkirk
was to have the use of the land only for 20 years. This was because his
Lordship feared that his colony would not succeed. Trutier says that the
chiefs did not in any sence sell the land to the Earl of Selkirk but rented
it. This affidavit is to be carefully preserved in case it might prove
serviceable some time hence. It was resolved to get a statement upon oath
from Peguis the chief,on the same matter,and after some further conversation
the meeting adjourned sine die.
Chief Council
Kenny Morin
Red River Half Breed Association
Red River Half Breed Indian
Nation
I have read The Four Half Indian Chiefs - Grant,Pangman,Shaw,Montour. Who contributed to establishing the Forks Reserve,in Red River Indian Territory Forks Red River.Were never consulted in 1814. By Governor Miles Macdonell of the settler colonists.
In his proclamation prohibiting the export of pemmican from Assiniboia for that one year. Without his permission in fear that his settlers may starve during winter. This proclamation threatened the supply of pemmican needed by the voyageurs while traveling and the winter supplies nessessary at the NWCo trading posts.
For years this was established by the Half Breeds long before the arrivel of the Selkirk settlers. Selling pemmican was one of the ways the Half Indians also made a living. This same Governor Miles Macdonell issued a second proclamation. Again without consulting with the Half Indians forbading the hunting of buffalo on horseback near his settlement.
Running the Buffalo was a resourse for food to the Half Breeds. The Half Indians had there own laws. They were in Indian Territory if any one was to listern to Laws it would of had to been the Selkirk settlers and there Governor. Finally in 1815 25th June the proposal and Treaty was sent againest the HBCo and Settlers.
In the spring of 1815 before the Treaty was issued Cuthbert Grant established a camp at Frog Plains north of the Forks of the Red,Assiniboine Rivers. Their course to stop supplies and reinforcements from reaching the Colony. To protect the NWCo brigades traveling to and from Fort William. Shortly the Selkirk Settlers left the Red River area for Norway House.
In mind to regroup with new arrivals that were on there way from across the sea. To help,to return,to reestablish the colony that same summer. Treaty being negotiable June 25th 1815. (I have no explaination at this time why) the Coloniest wintered at Fort Daer but returning to Red River Settlement in April 1816. My guess would be no sourse for resourses upon fighting at Red River in 1815.
On June 19th 1816 the clash at Seven Oaks came two to three month from April 1816. The NWCo in 1816 appointed Cuthbert as Captain-General of all the Half Breeds in spite of the fact that Grant was one of the Half Indian Chiefs. That spring Grant his men descended the Assiniboine from Fort Qu'Appelle toward the Colony with the aim of destroying it once and for all.
Peter Fidler wrote in the Journel at Brandon House - Quote - "Past noon about forty eight Half Breeds,Canadians,Freemen & Indians came all riding on horseback,with their flag flying blue about four feet square & a figure of 8 horizontally in the middle."
Heading to Red River Colony,Grant
his men decided to by pass the HBCo
Fort Douglais to reestablish
their Frog Plains camp. Nearing the Fort one trooper saw Robert Semple,New
Governor of Selkirk Settlers and twenty one men Settlers including HBCo
employees. One of Semples men fired a shot at Seven Oaks and the battle
insued.
Kenny Morin Chief Council,Red
River Half Indians.
As I write this communcation a growing awareness of what it meant to be a Half Breed and with pride in belonging to the New Nation that had developed under the leadership of My ancester Cuthbert Grant
In Govn George Simpson "Book of Servants"or "Simpson's Character Book." He noted of Cuthbert Grant, an employee of the NWCo who had led the Half Breeds'at the Battle of Seven Oaks in 1816,but had later been won over to the support of the HBCo
A Half Breed whose Name
must long recall to mind some horrible scenes which
in former Days took place
at Red River Settlement in which he was the principal actor. About 38 years
of Age, during 20 of which he has been more or less connected with the
Service - A generous Warm hearted Man who would not have been guilty of
the Crimes laid to his charge had he not been driven into them by designing
Men - A very stout powerful fellow of great nerve & resolution but
now getting unweildy and inactive. Drinks ardent spirits in large quantities,thinks
nothing of a Bottle of Rum at a sitting but is so well Seasoned that he
is seldom intoxicated altho it undermines his constitution rapidly. A sensible
clear headed man of good conduct except in reference to the unfortunate
habits of intemperance he has fallen into. Entirely under the influence
of the Catholic Mission and quite a Bigot. The American Traders have made
serveral liberal offers to him,but he has rejected them all being now a
staunch Hudsons' Bay Man and we allow him a Saly of L200 P.Annum as "Warden
of the Plains." which is a Sinecure offered him intirely from political
motives and not from any feeling of liberality or partiality. This appointment
prevents him from interfering with the Trade on his own account which he
would otherwise do in all probability: it moreover affords us the benefit
of his great influence over the halfbreeds and Indians of the neighbourhood
which is convenient inasmuch as it exempts us from many difficulties with
them. He resides at the White Horse Plain about 16 miles up the Assiniboine
River where he has a Farm and only visits the Establishment on business
or by Invitation but is always ready to obey our commands and is very effective
when employed as a constable among the half breeds or Indians. Is perfectly
satisfied with what has been done for him which is quite sufficient and
has no prospect of advancement.
Kenny Morin
RRHBIN
RED RIVER HALF BREED INDIAN
NATION
Winnipeg,Mb
Chief Council
Kenny Morin
Hed Man
Rene Laroche
Minister of Aboriginal And
Northern Affairs
Room 344, Legislative Building
Winnipeg, MB R3C0V8
Canada
Dear Minister Oscar Lathlin:
In your letter dated July
29th,2003 regarding our letter the Premier forwarded to you.
Requesting to look into
our concerns relating to the new hotel being built at the The Forks. You
mentioned the flood plain zone.
We are happy that you acknowledge this for it is another buriel site of our people. Our people (the Half Breeds or Half Indians and various other intertribel Nations)are also buried in the flood plain zone for the simple reason there bodies be pulled under into the soil. We have a map indicating of three types of uses' at the Juncture of Red,Assiniboine Rivers. They being Encampment,Burial, and WarParty. The buriels (which include above ground at various sites at The Forks)run along both sides of the two Rivers. W and E on the Reds banks,N and S on the Assiniboine banks.
To quote- Journal of Duncan M'gillivray NWCo partner - "The Assiniboines,or Stone Indians,originated from Sioux or Nadouasis,probably S of St Peter's (the Minnnesota) River,where some misunderstanding between different bands caused their seperation. They are now numerous,and inhabit a vast extent of plains. Their lands may be said to commence at the Hair hills,near Red River,hence running west along the Assiniboine," - end quote.
Red Stone,Chief of the Assiniboine Indians granted George Racette land " the right of my nation and also the right of our lands" from the PAM Ref# Mg3d1.
Chief Council
Kenny Morin
Red River Half Indian Nation
7th August 2003
RED RIVER HALF BREED ASSOCIATION INC
Kenny Morin
Winnipeg, MB
Chief Council
Rene Laroche
Hed Man
Animikii Meggazee
Head Chief
Dear Mr Gary Doer:
1) Is it true that your
wife, Jeannie Divine is a partner at "Viewpoints Research Ltd
404-115 Bannatyne in Winnipeg.".
2) Is it true that Rosemary Chambers is on the Board of Directors at the Forks North Portage Partnership.
3) Is it true that Mr Bob Sparrow is a very big NDP supporter. The guy who wants to build his hotal at the Forks.
4) Is it true that Jeannie Divine is a friend of Rosemary Chambers of Forks North Portage Partnership.
5) Why isn't a basement being dug under this hotal at the Forks.
6) The Red River Half Breed People of Manitoba say there is a sacred burial site there of our Indian relatives.
7) Viewpoints Research Ltd
conduced a pole about construction at the Forks and
70 to 75 % were against
construction. Why have you and your Government allowed construction at
the Forks.
a few queries which we ask
you will answer in course, and address your answer to
Red River Half Breed People
of Manitoba C/O above interm address.
Thank you Kindly
Chief Council
Kenny Morin of the Red
River Half Breed Indian Nation
4th June 2003
RED RIVER HALF BREED ASSOCIATION INC
Winnipeg, MB
Animikii Meggazee
Head Chief
Kenny Morin
Chief Council
For Immediate Release
Rene Laroche
Hed Man
22nd of May 2003
"Human Bones where found/excavated today by General Contractor, PCL Constructors Canada LTD and Sid Kroker Archaeologist found baging the fragments of the crushed heritage Human Remains that most likely was one of our Ancesters." said Kenny Morin Chief Council of the Red River Half Breed Indians.
"Our Archeologist Rene Laroche of the Red River Half Breed Association was there and saw the drama unfold." continued Mr Morin. "Under the Provincial, Heritage Resources Act Chapter H39.1 Part IV Heritage Objects and Human Remains this Government has to explain why they were not listening to the RRHBA when we said that their are sacred burial grounds here" said Morin.
"They allowed.this, with their friends Canada and Winnipeg City and Jim August of The Forks North Portage Partnership, along with Bob Sparrow and his partiner Denis Smith." Mr. Morin says.
Morin says "Can they tell
us now that they are not building on a burial grounds"
"Our people are Bury here,
the identifying persons buried therein are our people"
