Many parts of the Métis Homeland are known for their harsh winters, and the Rainy Lake District is no exception.
Throughout the historic fur trade period, when others left for more seasonable locations, many brave Métis families remained at various trading posts throughout the cold winter months to keep the fur trade economy alive and thriving—a practice known in English as overwintering, or hiverner in French.
One of the Rainy Lake District’s well-known overwinterers was renowned Métis interpreter Nicolas Chatelain, who was described in the Hudson’s Bay Company’s 1824-25 District Report:
“Nicholas Chatelain (a Half Breed) Interpreter is an acquisition to the Post. Speaks the Saulteaux language well and is feared by the natives, and is perfectly acquainted with Geographical part of the Country, more particularly to the North side of Lac La Pluie. In short he is a man that ought not to be lost sight of.”
With a reputation as a sober, hard worker, Chatelain was a sought-after overwinterer and future leader within the Northwestern Ontario Métis Community. In 1832-33, Chatelain overwintered at ‘the mouth of the river’ on Shoal Lake with two assistants.
Chatelain undoubtedly passed his values and work ethic to his sons, Louis and Joseph. When employed by the HBC themselves, they would overwinter at Rainy Lake. A generation later, both were recorded as overwinterers in the list of ‘Advances in Lake Superior District… Winters of Lac la Pluie, Oct. 2, 1858’.
Fur trade practices like overwintering provided Métis children with opportunities to learn vital skills and tricks of the fur trade from their parents, which would enable them to achieve professional success for themselves and their families someday.