http://www.brucewishart.com/solidgold/fort-desjarlais/ Sat, 10 Nov 2012 21:23:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://www.brucewishart.com/solidgold/fort-desjarlais/comment-page-1/#comment-186 Brent Desjarlais Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:39:38 +0000 http://www.brucewishart.com/?p=59#comment-186 Marcel is believed to be also known as Cowessess, a different spelling of Gwiwisens, who signed treaty and died in 1881. Desjarlais is still a prominent surname on the Cowessus reserve in Sask. Marcel is believed to be also known as Cowessess, a different spelling of Gwiwisens, who signed treaty and died in 1881. Desjarlais is still a prominent surname on the Cowessus reserve in Sask.

]]> http://www.brucewishart.com/solidgold/fort-desjarlais/comment-page-1/#comment-185 Brent Desjarlais Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:28:52 +0000 http://www.brucewishart.com/?p=59#comment-185 Sorry it took so long to reply Steve. Yes I am related to Marcel Desjarlais. He was a brother to Joseph Dejarlais and so would be a great GGGGGuncle. Marcel later became a native chief and signed a treaty as chief of his band. Sorry it took so long to reply Steve. Yes I am related to Marcel Desjarlais. He was a brother to Joseph Dejarlais and so would be a great GGGGGuncle. Marcel later became a native chief and signed a treaty as chief of his band.

]]> http://www.brucewishart.com/solidgold/fort-desjarlais/comment-page-1/#comment-167 steve desjarlais Tue, 05 Apr 2011 23:51:54 +0000 http://www.brucewishart.com/?p=59#comment-167 i am descenant of joesph desjarlais were u related to marcel gwi-wis-ens desjarlais married to brudgettenakweskay dit cardinal born in 1808 my name is steve desjarlais from lac la biche alberta i am descenant of joesph desjarlais were u related to marcel gwi-wis-ens desjarlais married to brudgettenakweskay dit cardinal born in 1808 my name is steve desjarlais from lac la biche alberta

]]> http://www.brucewishart.com/solidgold/fort-desjarlais/comment-page-1/#comment-8 Bruce Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:04:49 +0000 http://www.brucewishart.com/?p=59#comment-8 Brent, you’ve echoed some of my thoughts since revisiting this story and posting it to the site. I do tend to agree with you about the brothers all being involved, with “old Joe Desjarlais” being remembered as the principal. And my first reaction is always to pay careful attention to the oral sources. After being away from the source material for over 20 years, however, I’m not prepared to argue the point too closely! In some of what has since been written about Fort Desjarlais, I’m not convinced that enough consideration was given to the mobility of Métis living in their traditional lifestyle during the years between the establishment of the Red River Colony and the foundation of the province of Manitoba. Thanks for your kind comments. I’m really glad that you like the story. – Bruce Brent, you’ve echoed some of my thoughts since revisiting this story and posting it to the site. I do tend to agree with you about the brothers all being involved, with “old Joe Desjarlais” being remembered as the principal. And my first reaction is always to pay careful attention to the oral sources. After being away from the source material for over 20 years, however, I’m not prepared to argue the point too closely! In some of what has since been written about Fort Desjarlais, I’m not convinced that enough consideration was given to the mobility of Métis living in their traditional lifestyle during the years between the establishment of the Red River Colony and the foundation of the province of Manitoba.
Thanks for your kind comments. I’m really glad that you like the story. – Bruce

]]> http://www.brucewishart.com/solidgold/fort-desjarlais/comment-page-1/#comment-7 Brent Desjarlais Thu, 11 Feb 2010 07:41:46 +0000 http://www.brucewishart.com/?p=59#comment-7 Hi Bruce, just wanted to say thanks for the excellent article on Fort Desjarlais! I am a direct descendant of Joseph Desjarlais, born 1791, and mentioned in the article. He was my GGGGGrandfather. From all I've read it appears to me that Miche Cote was actually Joseph and not Antoine. Although the men at the post appear to be Antoine's sons inlaws, it seems likely to me that all of the brothers played a role in it's construction and operations. Thanks again as this is the most comprehensive info on the fort I have been able to find. Brent Joseph Desjarlais. Hi Bruce, just wanted to say thanks for the excellent article on Fort Desjarlais!
I am a direct descendant of Joseph Desjarlais, born 1791, and mentioned in the article. He was my GGGGGrandfather. From all I’ve read it appears to me that Miche Cote was actually Joseph and not Antoine. Although the men at the post appear to be Antoine’s sons inlaws, it seems likely to me that all of the brothers played a role in it’s construction and operations. Thanks again as this is the most comprehensive info on the fort I have been able to find. Brent Joseph Desjarlais.

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