MacDonell, Alexander Greenfield

  • From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: See full biography at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Macdonell_of_Greenfield
  • Wiki Biography:
    • Alexander Macdonell of Greenfield (20 November 1782 – 23 February 1835) was a Canadian businessman and politician. He was the fourth son of Alexander Macdonell of Greenfield and Janet Macdonell of Aberchalder (a sister of John Macdonell of Aberchalder and Sir Hugh MacDonell of Aberchalder). He was also the cousin and brother-in-law of Miles MacDonell, the first governor of the Red River Colony.
    • Alexander worked as a fur trader and became a partner of the North West Company becoming very interested in the rights of the Métis (so called “Half Breeds”) with whom he worked as well as having 4 métis children. He was the first to refer to the Métis as becoming a nation when he wrote to Duncan Cameron that “The New Nation under their leaders are coming forward to clear their native soil of intruders and assassins”. Additionally Alexander played a role in the development of Métis identity by “giving them shape and direction”. Alongside Cameron he was also instrumental in Cuthbert Grant initially being appointed as one of the “captains of the Métis”, and eventually “Captain-General of all the Half-Breeds.” According to writer George Woodcock, prior to 1814 there was nothing to suggest that Grant saw the Métis as a nation, or gave any thought to their cause, or even identified himself with them. During the Pemmican War Alexander dispatched Cuthbert Grant and 25 Métis to plunder the Hudson’s Bay Company’s Brandon House.
  • Second Great Grandson of United Empire Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=5264
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