Memorable Manitobans: George McKay (c1856-1950)

Aboriginal leader.

Born on the Okanese reserve at Elphinstone around 1856, he moved to the Clear Lake Reserve and then to Rolling River Reserve in 1913 when the government took over the land at Clear Lake. A resident of northern Manitoba all his life, he built a school on the Clear Lake Reserve and acted as a political representative for his community. In 1914, he went with a delegation to Ottawa to discuss Aboriginal participation in the Armed Forces with the Department of Indian Affairs. Talks resulted in the cancelation of the conscription call for Aboriginals. McKay was married twice and had eleven children including Andrew, Peter, Alex and Mrs. George Shannacappo. On 24 September 1950, he died in the home of his son Andrew at the Rolling River Indian Reserve.

Sources:

“Manitoba pioneer George McKay, 94, dies on reserve,” Winnipeg Free Press, 7 October 1950. [Manitoba Legislative Library, Biographical Scrapbook B10, page 155]

This page was prepared by Sarah Ramsden.

Page revised: 2 November 2019

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

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