A.C. Osborne's "Migration of Voyageurs from Drummond Island to Penetanguishene in 1828" chronicles a defining event in the history of the Upper Great Lakes Métis Community, capturing its stories, struggles, and resilience.
Following the cession of Drummond Island by the British Crown to the United States after the War of 1812, the many Métis families who called the Island home were forced to relocate—with a large number going to Penetanguishene on the southwestern shore of Georgian Bay.
Published in 1901, Osborne, “endeavoured to gather this story from the lips of the few survivors who migrated at the time… [who] settled principally near Penetanguishene, in the township of Tiny, Simcoe County.”
Through brief vignettes and first-hand narratives by Métis community members who had experienced the relocation from Drummond Island to Penetanguishene—including members of the Métis Solomon, Labatte, Larammee, and Langlade families—Osborne’s meticulously compiled research chronicles the many challenges that the Métis faced during their relocation, including harsh weather, difficult terrain, and the emotional toll of leaving their homes.
Osborne's account ultimately showcases the strength and adaptability of the Upper Great Lakes Métis. As the lands and waters they called home were divided by colonial borders, they maintained their ways of life in Penetanguishene, preserving their cultural practices, identity, and community bonds for future generations.