Metis life in the 1820’s

Trapping beaver by Rindisbacher
...read more about the artist Peter Rindisbacher

Before photography artists like Peter Rindisbacher painted scenes of early life in the North West and the Red River areas of North America. They faithfully painted the people, what they wore and how they lived.
Peter Rindisbacher was born in 1806 in Switzerland and died in St. Louis in 1834. He was 28 years old. He was just fifteen when he painted 'The inhospitable shores of Lake Winnipeg' in 1821.

La Loche: 61% unemployed

The unemployment rate in La Loche may be as high as 61%.
The unemployment rate in Clearwater River may be as high as 69%.

Leoville, Saskatchewan

The road by the old Dauvin homestead near Leoville, Saskatchewan. Six of Marius and Agnes Dauvin`s
children would be born here. The family arrived by wagon in 1938 then left in 1950 for British Columbia.

The road that La Loche built

The Garson Lake Road

Black Point became accessible via the Garson Lake Road in 1988.

This camp on the Garson Lake Road is situated on the La Loche River.

Oilsands Quest for sale

Trading of Oilsands Quest stock was discontinued on November 29, 2011 after the company failed to sell its Wallace Creek leases. The stock price at closing was 18 cents a share. The company has since been under bankruptcy protection. 

The village of La Loche signed an exploration agreement with Oilsands Quest June 27, 2008. It was hoped that this would bring some much needed revenue and jobs for the village. 

 Oilsands Quest leases in orange.                      read more....Oilsands Quest Timeline

Capote and metis sash

This sash is from the 17 th. century

A La Loche Family History

Robert Francois Guetre in 1920-21
dressed in his sailor's uniform.

This family history begins in 1923 on a French Naval training vessel with a 20 year old sailor Robert Francois Guetre.     

Buffalo Narrows Photos

Buffalo Narrows in 1936

Dillon Photos

Dillon before 1937

Ile a la Crosse Mission

The forts of Ile a la Crosse in 1820 by George Back. The HBC fort has a flag flying. The NWC fort is on the right.

A section of  Sir John Franklin's map of 1819-1820 from Ile a la Crosse to the Methye Portage/Portage La Loche. Sir George Back who accompanied Franklin on this expedition sketched scenes of the country. ....view Franklin's map

Three Grey Nuns arrived at Ile a la Crosse in 1860 to staff the new school and  hospital.  (Sketch of Ile a la Crosse Mission as it may have looked like in circa 1860.)

Dene arriving at Ile a la Crosse 1898 to take part in a "mission". These "missions" were organized by the Oblates. A mission lasted from a few days to a few weeks and consisted of religious instruction, sermons, masses and processions. These missions were held several times a year until the 1950's. (photo credit John and Mary Hanson of Buffalo Narrows)

...read about the "missions" at La Loche

Ile a la Crosse in 1911 during the first visit of Bishop Ovide Charlebois. Charlebois was bishop of the new Apostolic Vicariate of Keewatin formed in 1910.

Ile a la Crosse in 1914.

This Ile a la Crosse hospital burned in 1926.

Hospital of Ile a la Crosse 1939.

Mission of Ile a la Crosse in 1946.