Thomas Bunn (Manitoba politician) facts for kids

Thomas Bunn (born May 16, 1830 – died April 11, 1875) was an important Métis leader, farmer, and lawyer in Manitoba. He served as a politician for the area of St. Clements from 1870 to 1874 in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, which is like the province's main law-making group.

Thomas Bunn's Early Life and Family

Thomas Bunn was born on May 16, 1830, in the Red River Colony. His father, John Bunn, was a doctor and a council member. His mother was Catherine Thomas. Both of his parents were Métis people. Thomas went to school at the Red River Academy.

In 1854, Thomas Bunn moved to the Rural Municipality of St. Andrews. He married Isabella Clouston, and they had two children. Sadly, Isabella passed away in 1857. Thomas married again in 1859 to Rachel Harriot, and they had eight children together. Two years later, he moved to Mapleton. He worked as a farmer for many years in the Red River Colony. Thomas Bunn was a member of the Church of England and a Freemason. He died on April 11, 1875. Today, a road in St. Andrew's is named after him, and his old home is a special heritage site.

Thomas Bunn's Public Service and Politics

Thomas Bunn was involved in public service for many years. From 1865 to 1869, he worked as a clerk for the Council and the Quarterly Court of Assiniboia. In January 1868, he was chosen to be a member of the Council. He became an important leader in the Council on December 17, 1869, and stayed in that role until the Council ended in 1870.

Meetings and the Provisional Government

In January 1870, Thomas Bunn helped host a big outdoor meeting. People gathered to hear Donald Alexander Smith, who was a representative from the Canadian government. After this meeting, a group was formed to help elect people for a special meeting. This meeting would talk with the Canadian government. Thomas Bunn was part of this group.

He was then chosen as the English-speaking representative for the Rural Municipality of St. Clements (which is now Mapleton) to the Provisional Government of Manitoba. He held this position until June 24, 1870. This special meeting worked from January 27 to February 3, 1870. They created the Provisional Government. Louis Riel, who was the head of this new government, named Thomas Bunn as the secretary of state.

After the Provisional Government

On August 24, 1870, Canadian soldiers, led by Colonel Garnet Wolseley, arrived at Fort Garry. They took over, and the Provisional Government ended. Thomas Bunn continued his work and began studying law. In December 1870, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba in the province's very first election. In 1871, he became a lawyer. On May 16, 1871, Thomas Bunn was made a clerk for Manitoba's First General Quarterly Court.