Meet my family; the people that made Western Canada before it was..
“James ‘Jimmy Jock’ Bird, Blackfoot interpreter.”, 1855-10-18, (CU198596) by Sohon, Gustavus. Courtesy of Glenbow Library and Archives Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary.
“Here are some of my family members, though this isn’t an exhaustive list. They played pivotal roles in shaping Western Canada during the time when it was known as Rupertsland. Some were instrumental in establishing Edmonton. Two individuals witnessed the Selkirk Treaty, and one of their sons served as the interpreter. Many in this list were multilingual and worked as interpreters, contributing to significant events such as Alberta’s Treaty 7 negotiations. They also played roles as interpreters in major treaties beyond Canada, including the 1855 Blackfoot treaty in Montana and the 1855 Willamette Valley Treaty in Oregon. This is just a glimpse of the extensive contributions made by these individuals.”
James Curtis Bird (1773-1856)
4th Great Grandfather
James Curtis Bird, born in 1773 in England, became a significant figure in the history of Rupert’s Land. As a Chief Factor and diplomat, he played crucial roles during key events like the Pemmican War and the Selkirk Treaty. His leadership helped shape the political landscape and the Métis homeland, leaving a lasting legacy. Go to James Curtis Bird Bio→
George Bird (1795-1855)
3rd Great Grandfather
George Bird, born in 1795 at South Branch House, was the first Métis son of Chief Factor James Bird. Raised in a multicultural environment of the fur trade, he became a skilled hunter and community leader. Married to Ann Thomas, their union linked influential Métis families. His life illustrates the emergence of the Métis identity and kinship networks in the Northwest. Go to George Bird Bio→
James Bird Jr. “Jemmy Jock” (1798-1892)
3rd Great Uncle
James “Jemmy Jock” Bird, born around 1798 was an influential cultural broker and diplomat. He navigated multiple economic systems and worked for various companies while maintaining strong ties to his Indigenous roots. His marriages established key alliances, and his legacy continues through descendant lines and oral histories in the northern Plains. Go to James Bird Jr. “Jemmy Jock” Bio→
Curtis James Bird (1838-1876)
3rd Great Uncle
(in-Progress) Curtis James Bird, ….. Go to Curtis James Bird Bio→
Thomas Thomas (1766-1828)
4th Great Grandfather
Thomas Thomas, born in Wales circa 1765-66, became a pivotal figure in the Hudson’s Bay Company, rising from clerk to Governor of the Northern Department. His partnership with Sarah, a Cree woman, established a prominent Métis kinship network, influencing Red River and Saskatchewan communities. His legacy shaped Métis leadership and cultural integration for generations. Go to Thomas Thomas Bio→
James Sutherland Sr. (c. 1777(8)-1854)
4th Great Grandfather
James Sutherland, born circa 1777 in Orkney, began his career as a laborer for the Hudson’s Bay Company, advancing to roles as interpreter and postmaster in the Red River District. He signed the Selkirk Treaty in 1817 and fostered a significant Métis kinship network through his marriage and children, shaping early Métis society. Go to James Sutherland Sr. Bio→
James Sutherland Jr. (1817–1906)
3rd Great Grandfather
James Sutherland Jr., born in the Red River Settlement in 1817, was a key figure bridging the fur-trade era and prairie homesteading. He married Maria Bird, connecting influential Métis kinship networks, and fathered a large family. His life journey reflects the broader migration of Métis families into Saskatchewan, where he passed away in 1906. Go to James Sutherland Jr. Bio→
John Park (c. 1760s-1847)
4th Great Grandfather
John Park, an early settler in the Red River region, played a crucial role in establishing the Park–Mattise–Cromartie kinship line, contributing to the formation of Métis families. His partnership with Indigenous woman Margaret Mattise represents one of the first mixed-descent households, laying foundations for future generations and community networks. Go to John Park Bio→
John Cromartie (1792-1878)
3rd Great Grandfather
In-progress. Go to John Cromartie Bio→
William Edward Cromartie (1841-1926)
2nd Great Grandfather
In-progress. Go to William Edward Cromartie Bio→
William Hemmings Cook (1766-1846)
5th Great Grandfather
(in-Progress) William Hemmings Cook, ….. Go to William Hemmings Cook Bio→
Matthew Cocking (1743-1799)
6th Great Grandfather
(in-Progress) Matthew Cocking, ….. Go to Matthew Cocking Bio→
John Flett (1815-1892)
3rd Great Uncle – By Marriage (Married Charlotte Bird)
(in-Progress) John Flett, ….. Go to John Flett Bio→
James Sinclair (1811-1856)
3rd Great Uncle – By Marriage (Married Elizabeth Bird)
(in-Progress) James Sinclair, ….. Go to James Sinclair Bio→
Charles McKay (1808-1873)
3rd Great Uncle – By Marriage (Married Letitia Bird)
(in-Progress) Charles McKay, ….. Go to Charles McKay Bio→
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