On this site stood Deer Lodge, the home of the Honourable James McKay. He helped to guide the transition from fur trading to farming. Trader, freighter, plains guide, Councillor of Assiniboia, he was, with his mixed ancestry, representative of the complexity of Red River society and at home with the fur trader and hunter. Noted for his fluency in Indian languages and his friendship with the plains tribes, McKay was advisor, interpreter, negotiator of Treaties 1 to 4, co-commissioner of Treaty 5 and Indian Commissioner of Treaty 6. A member of the Council of the North West Territories, he was in the newly created province of Manitoba, President of the Executive Council, Minister of Agriculture, and Speaker of the Legislative Council.
These Historic Sites Advisory Board of Manitoba plaques, with French and English text, are located on the front grounds of Deer Lodge Hospital at 2109 Portage Avenue. Nearby is a plaque erected by the Canadian Pacific Railway commemorating its war dead.
James McKay Plaque (2010)
Source: City of Winnipeg
James McKay Plaque (June 2022)
Source: George PennerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.87757, W97.23508
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Winged Victory Monument (2109 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Silver Heights Gates (Mount Royal Road, Winnipeg)
Memorable Manitobans: James McKay (1828-1879)
Information for this page was provided by The City of Winnipeg’s Planning, Property and Development Department, which acknowledges the contribution of the Government of Manitoba through its Heritage Grants Program.
We thank George Penner for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 11 June 2022
Historic Sites of Manitoba
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