The Metis Nation played an important part in the history and development of Western Canada. They are frequently mentioned in much of the literature dealing with the Old Northwest and the fur trade economy. Yet, in spite of their early prominence, the number of books and articles specifically concerned with the Metis people is very small. Of the works that do exist, almost all are historically oriented and provide the reader with a series of dates, events, and personalities, but little in the way of interpretation or analysis. The period of time under discussion falls between the years 1810 and 1870. During these years the Metis lived in various parts of the Old Northwest--a vast geographical expanse which today is divided into the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, the Yukon Territory, the western half of the Northwest Territories, and the northern portion of the States of North Dakota and Montana. However, since the great majority of the Metis lived in the Red Rlver Settlement and other nearby communities of southern Manitoba and northern North Dakota, the thesis, therefore, concentrates on the Metis of this area...