Maxime Lépine facts for kids
Maxime Lépine (born around 1837, died September 16, 1897) was an important Métis leader and businessman in Canada. He joined Louis Riel's temporary government in Red River in 1869. Lépine also helped start the Union Saint-Alexandre. This group aimed to unite Métis people who had French-Canadian and Catholic backgrounds. Later, Lépine served as a politician, representing St. Francois Xavier East in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1874 to 1878.
Early Life
Maxime Lépine was born in Saint Boniface, Manitoba. His parents were Jean-Baptiste Bérard, also known as Lépine, and Julia Henry. Maxime married Josephte Lavallée. They had six children who all grew up. Maxime Lépine also studied with the Christian Brothers in St Boniface.
In the 1870s, Lépine lived in St. François Xavier. He ran a company that used Red River carts to move goods. These carts carried items west to places like Fort Carlton and Île-à-la-Crosse, Saskatchewan. They also went south to Pembina, North Dakota, and St. Paul, Minnesota.
Standing Up for Rights
Maxime Lépine and his brother Ambroise-Dydime were part of the provisional government of Manitoba. This government was set up in 1869. Maxime served as a councillor in this temporary government. Louis Riel and other Métis leaders from the Red River Settlement created it.
The provisional government was formed to stop the Canadian government from taking over Rupert's Land. At that time, the Hudson's Bay Company controlled Rupert's Land. This land is now known as the Prairie provinces. In 1869, the Hudson's Bay Company, the Canadian government, and the British government talked about transferring the land. But they left the Métis people out of these important discussions.
More than 12,000 people lived in the Red River Settlement, and many were Métis. They worried about their place in the new country. So, they decided to fight for their rights. The provisional government succeeded in talking about how the Métis would join Canada. This led to The Manitoba Act in 1870.
The Manitoba Act created the province of Manitoba. It also protected the rights of the Métis people. It made sure there were schools for different religions. It also set aside 1.4 million acres of land for future Métis children.
Life After the Rebellion
After Manitoba became a province, Maxime Lépine continued his work. He became a founding member of the Union Saint-Alexandre. This group worked to bring together Métis people of French-Canadian and Catholic backgrounds.
Lépine also served as a politician. He represented St. François-Xavier East in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. He served one term from 1874 to 1878. He was not re-elected in December 1878.
In 1882, he moved to Saskatchewan, settling near St. Louis. Maxime Lépine was involved in the events of 1885. He fought at the Battle of Fish Creek. After the defeat at Batoche, he surrendered. He faced legal trouble and spent about seven months in Stony Mountain Penitentiary in 1885-1886.
In 1896, he received a job at the Indian agency in Battleford. Maxime Lépine passed away in Duck Lake, Saskatchewan, on September 16, 1897.
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