In June 1967, James Brady, a well-known Métis activist, and Absolom Halkett, a Cree band councillor, were dropped off by float aircraft in a northern Saskatchewan lake to conduct some prospecting. When their mining-company boss came in to check on them a few days later, their camp seemed strangely vacant.
An thorough search by the RCMP and residents of the community yielded no results. The Mounties concluded that the couple had been separated and died, perhaps as a result of being attacked and devoured by wild animals, and the matter was closed. But something didn't seem to add together. The residents of La Ronge, Saskatchewan, understood that the experienced backwoodsmen were unlikely to have gone missing with no evidence of their deaths uncovered.
Who was James Jim Brady and what was his role in the metis community
from Road Allowance Métis to Métis Settlements "Famous Five" leadership, Brady has been an instrumental part in the formalization of today's contemporary Métis Settlements in Alberta. As a result of his advocacy and strong voice for the road allowance Métis of Alberta, he helped shape the way the Métis people are seen and heard today. Growing up on a road allowance in central Alberta, Brady was all too familiar with the challenges and discriminations his people faced. He was determined to make a difference and fight for his people's rights. In 1967, Brady was elected president of the Metis Association of Alberta, which would later become the Metis Nation of Alberta (MNA). Under his leadership, the MNA worked tirelessly to address the many issues affecting the Métis people in Alberta. They advocated for Recognition of Métis Rights, improved access to Education and Social Services, and worked towards economic development and self-sufficiency. Brady's work helped lay the foundation for what would eventually become the Métis Settlements in Alberta. In 1982, after years of hard work and dedication, Brady and four other Métis leaders were appointed by the provincial government to negotiate a land settlement
What is the significance of his death and why has it remained unsolved for so long
James Brady's death remains unsolved to this day, despite his significance as a powerful advocate for the Métis people of Alberta. At the time of his death, Brady was in the process of leading a delegation of Métis to Ottawa to discuss their grievances with the Canadian government. The cause of Brady's death is unknown, but many believe that he was poisoned. Some have speculated that Brady was assassinated by agents of the Canadian government, who feared that his negotiations would lead to increased autonomy for the Métis people. However, no definitive evidence has been found to support this theory. Given the political climate at the time, it is possible that Brady's death will never be fully explained. Nevertheless, his legacy as a champion of Métis rights continues to inspire those who fight for Indigenous self-determination.
How can we help to finally bring closure to this case and give James Jim Brady the justice he deserves
The RCMP said the evidence so far is 'inconclusive.'An RCMP spokeswoman said that the information presented so far has been "inconclusive" and insufficient to warrant a search, but that decision might be reconsidered if more compelling evidence is presented.
There is belief there is strong evidence that the group discovered human remains, she is not positive that those bones are those of Brady and Halkett. She believes that an RCMP search or recovery expedition will be the only way to answer that last issue.
Knowing that the Grandmother's Bay search and rescue team possessed a remotely controlled vehicle capable of capturing photographs underwater, they speculated that the technology might be utilized to explore the lake. The land had already been examined, but the depths of the sea still maintained its well guarded secrets.
There was relief that they had discovered anything. A group went out to search the region twice, the first time in August of 2018, and the second time in September. The search would lead to a "anomaly not native to the lake," as Bell characterized it, in the lake's lowest region.
Legacy
Jim Brady is regarded by the Métis community as one of the most prominent political personalities of the twentieth century and a pivotal role in what is known as the Métis liberation struggle. Some Métis families recall Jim Brady's pride and commitment to positive change as opening their eyes to seeing a brighter future for their people.
In front of the Kikinahk Friendship Centre in La Ronge, a stone plaque honors Jim Brady's contributions to the Métis community and Saskatchewan's history. It was revealed on July 10, 2011, as part of Jim Brady Days, and was funded by SaskCulture's Métis Cultural Development Fund.