Many members of the Upper Great Lakes Métis Community utilized their knowledge of the lands, waters, and local peoples to maintain meaningful employment as guides and interpreters.
Lewis Solomon, a member of the Métis community at Penetanguishene, was one of those guides.
Lewis was born on Drummond Island in 1821 and later moved to Penetanguishene during the community’s relocation in 1829. As a young adult, Lewis pursued “a tolerably fair education” that afforded him a “command of English [that] is somewhat above the average” and the ability to converse with a diverse array of travellers to the area.
For example, Lewis Solomon recounted guiding, “a Jesuit priest to Beausoleil Island to look for a Eucharist said to be buried there, with French and Spanish silver coins, guns, axes, etc.” Of the unsuccessful expedition, Solomon later remarked: “Many pits have been dug on Beausoleil Island.”
Throughout his career, Lewis Solomon also guided notable dignitaries throughout Georgian Bay. Solomon later remembered one such notable guest:
“Once I conducted the Earl of Northumberland through the Indian trail from Colborne Bay (North-West Basin) to Thunder Bay [Thunder Beach] and back in one day, and we also had some time to spend in fishing. I got twenty-five dollars for my services.”
Solomon also employed other Métis guides. In just one example, Lewis Solomon later shared:
“I was guide for Captain West and David Mitchell (a young man from Montreal) to Manitoulin on snowshoes. I had three assistants—Aleck McKay, Pierre Laronde and Joseph Leramonda, half-breeds. I received one hundred dollars for the trip.”
Comments