![]() Germain alone had the experience and the ability to improvise, that allowed him single-handedly to make the fragments of ‘painted canvas’ or ‘oil-cloth’ into a cockleshell that finally transported everyone across Obstruction Rapids on 4 October. Strong, resourceful, practical, a man of great stamina, his dexterity was evident in crossing the Burnside in a made-down canoe on 9 September, in ferrying Franklin across Belanger Rapids on 14 September, and in manipulating the little makeshift canvas craft across Obstruction Rapids on 4 October. Germain was by far the most successful hunter. His importance to the expedition has been summarized: Too independent to fit easily into naval discipline, he was nevertheless indispensable. ![]() Germain was Franklin’s strongest, most resourceful and versatile servant. ![]() Although considered a rogue, a rebel, and a troublemaker by Franklin, St. He played a central role in the accomplishments, drama, and tragedy of the first Franklin arctic land expedition. Germain served as interpreter on the First Franklin Expedition, 1819-1822, whose careful mapping of a section of our Arctic shoreline first began to fashion a ‘roof’ for the map of Canada. Germain (1790?-1870?), an intelligent and resourceful voyageur of mixed Chipewyan and French Canadian descent, had many praiseworthy attributes. Our detective work, although only a small footnote to the historical record, concerns one of the most interesting and accomplished of the many fur trade employees who retired to the Red River settlement. Because most of the Métis left few written records, it takes considerable effort to ferret out the story of any one of them. A substantial number of their surnames are commemorated in Winnipeg street names. ![]() The Métis played a major rule in the development of Manitoba, especially before their social prominence was diluted by the influx of white settlers about 1880. As an historical document, the article may contain language and views that are no longer in common use and may be culturally sensitive in nature. We make this online version available as a free, public service. This article was published originally in Manitoba History by the Manitoba Historical Society on the above date. Germain: A Métis Hero of the First Franklin Expeditionīy C. Stuart Houston and Mary I. Houston, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ![]()
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