Métis Nation river lot plans

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On the left of the graphic, Tatânga Mânî [Chief Walking Buffalo] [George McLean] in traditional regalia on horse. In the middle, Iggi and girl engaging in a “kunik”, a traditional greeting in Inuit culture. On the right, Maxime Marion, a Métis guide stands holding a rifle. In the background, there is a map of Upper and Lower Canada, and text from the Red River Settlement collection.

By William Benoit

An oil painting depicting a person on a Red River cart being pulled by an ox on a dirt road. In the background, there is a small white house and two other small buildings.
“Manitobah” settler’s house and Red River cart (c013965k)

Library and Archives Canada holds plans produced by the Canadian government of existing Métis river lots. These were required by the Manitoba Act and the transfer of Rupert’s Land and the North-Western Territory. These river lot plans are important pieces in understanding the Métis Nation. The plans are invaluable to the entire Métis Nation because they show where many Métis ancestors lived before Canada’s acquisition of the region.

A large map showing narrow rectangle river lots and the names of the owners of the lots, written in red ink. At the top of the map is a compass, indicating north.
Plan of river lots in the Parish of Lorette, Province of Manitoba; surveyed by (signed) G. McPhillips, Deputy Surveyor; examined and certified by (signed) A.H. Whitcher, Inspector of Surveys; Dominion Lands Survey Office, Winnipeg, February 16, 1878 (e011213852)

The Métis created settlements across the Métis Nation Homeland. The cradle of this homeland was the Red River Settlement. By 1869, there were 12,000 inhabitants there, of which 10,000 were Métis. Censuses recorded that 5,000 to 7,000 of the Métis were children.

A large map showing narrow rectangle river lots and the names of the owners of the lots, written in red ink. A railroad and a river are shown on the map.
Plan of river lots in the parishes of St. Norbert and St. Vital, Province of Manitoba (e011205909)

Visit the Flickr album for images of Métis Nation river lot plans.

7 thoughts on “Métis Nation river lot plans”

    • That’s a good idea! When you are doing research in Collection Search, you can transcribe the records using Co-Lab. In the image viewer, you will see one of two options to contribute using Co-Lab:
      If an image has already had crowdsourcing enabled, you can click the button labelled “Contribute” and continue adding your information.
      If an image has not yet been enabled for crowdsourcing, once you click on “Contribute” you will see a button labelled “Enable this image for Co-Lab contributions.” After clicking on it, you will be able to answer a few short questions about whether the image needs transcription (does it contain any text within the image?), the language of the text, and what type of media best describes it, in order to help define what types of contributions will be collected.

      Happy transcribing!

      Reply ↓

  2. The map is excellent thank you. My ancestor got land in the Metis Nation Riverlot lands in Lorette. They are Metis and the head of the family along with every on of his children received land and are on the map. They are all listed under the records for land grants. Why did some Metis receive scrips and others applied for land grants.

    Reply ↓

  4. Pingback: An Introduction to Relict Landscapes and the Past in the Present – NiCHE

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