Gabriel Dumont
For some unknown reason history seems to have almost forgotten about one of the most famous of the early Metis People - Gabriel Dumont. Gabriel Dumont was in charge of the fighting forces of the Metis in the North West Rebellion.
Gabriel Dumont was born in southern Manitoba in the year 1838. He became known among the people of the frontier as one of the greatest of the hunters and guides of the time. He fought in his first battle against the Dakota at Grand Coteau when he was only 14 years of age.
He was very loyal to Louis Riel, and although he differed with Riel on how the rebellion should have been fought, he always gave in to the wishes of Louis Riel. It was largely due to the fighting skill of Gabriel Dumont that the Metis were able to hold off the Canadian troops for as long as they did at the battle of Batoche.
Dumont escaped to the United States after the North West rebellion ended. There he spent most of his time speaking out for the rights of the Metis people. After being granted a full pardon by the government, he died of natural causes at the age of 69.
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