Birthday of Gabriel Dumont

Gabriel Dumont was an important Métis leader best known for his leadership in important battles during the North-West Rebellion including the battles at Duck Lake and Batoche. Dumont could speak seven languages including Michif, Blackfoot, Sioux, Cree, Crow, and French, and was a buffalo hunter in the last generation of Métis buffalo hunters. Before his leadership in the North-west Rebellion he also helped negotiate a treaty with the Blackfoot in 1862 which led to a lasting peace between Métis and Blackfoot. As a leader in his community he was on councils and sent petitions to Ottawa, demanding they recognize Métis land holdings. After being ignored, Dumont, James Isbister and other representatives of the Métis community traveled to Montana to request Louis Riel's assistance. He led successful battles against the superior in number and arms forces of the North-west Mounted Police. After their ultimate loss at Batoche, Dumont went into hiding, staying in Batoche for a day after the loss distributing blankets to Métis women and children before fleeing to the United States. He was given amnesty by the Canadian government in 1886 and returned to Saskatchewan where he lived the rest of his life in 1893.