Mr. David Doyle is well known to many of the BC Metis Federation members. He is one of the foremost experts who have studied the life and history of Louis Riel and has written a number of books about the history. Mr. Doyle has dedicated his life to correcting the historical wrongs of unjust hanging of Louis Riel.
Mr. Doyle has sent a congratulations letter this week to BC Metis Federation and today we are sharing because of the significance of the letter itself. Mr. Doyle has announced that he will gift a historic library to the BC Metis Federation and this is a major offering.
BC Metis Federation thanks Mr. Doyle and will be meeting soon to make a more formal announcement and plan a location to share this library with the public.
Thank you Mr. Doyle and you dedication and support is greatly appreciated.
Mr. Keith Henry and the Board of BC Métis Federation (BCMF),
300 – 3665 Kingsway,
Vancouver, BC, V5R 5W2
Dear Mr. Henry and the BCMF Board of Directors,
Having read the minutes from the recent board meeting and learning of the opening of new offices in Vancouver I wish to convey my congratulations to BCMF for the outstanding work that has been accomplished over the past two years. From humble beginnings as “Concerned Citizens” BCMF has grown into an independent, self-reliant voice for Metis citizens in BC as well as across Canada. In particular I recognize the selfless work of President Henry, and salute the board members and volunteers for tirelessly standing strong when it comes to the key issues facing all Canadians. The unity shown working with First Nations and opposing transnational transgressions has been outstanding, as has the educational work to clarify critical issues such as the “Daniel’s Case”, the Powley decision, the Enbridge Northern Pipeline, Idle No More, Métis Children and Family Services and the Off Reserve Aboriginal Action Plan. I would like to recognize the principled manner in which BCMF has conducted their affairs, honestly standing up for justice not only for Métis citizens, but all citizens. The community work done across British Columbia has provided forums for vital cultural activities, strengthening unity and fostering good will and friendship but also an opportunity for the grass-roots to express their concerns and celebrate their successes.
Transparency is a hallmark of BCMF. It was a great privilege to be gifted with an honourary membership in BCMF and I truly treasure my BCMF membership as well as recognition of my work as “Honoré Jaxon II” to clarify Canadian history and restore my mentor, William Henry Jackson (Honoré Jaxon), secretary to Louis Riel in 1885 and the representative of the Farmers and Settler’s Union to his rightful place amongst our Canadian heroes. It was on this day (July 24, 1885) that Will Jackson was “tried” for treason-felony in THE QUEEN vs WILLIAM HENRY JACKSON. Facing the same magistrates who would later preside over and condemn Louis Riel, Will Jackson refused to recognize the court and declined to answer any questions. In a case that was prearranged between the prosecution and the defence, Jackson, one of only two “whitemen” tried, was found “not-guilty” by reason of “insanity” preventing him from further testimony in Riel’s trial (and others). He was declared “not responsible” for his actions in assisting in the establishment of the Provisional Government of Saskatchewan and the writing of the Revolutionary Bill of Rights of Saskatchewan 1885. In his only statement to the court Will Jackson declared:
As far as responsibility of mine about what you call rebellion, I have always declared myself perfectly responsible, that is to say, as Riel’s secretary, and I wish to share his fate whatever that may be.
Will Jackson would be imprisoned in a Manitoba Insane Asylum. He would break out and flee to the United States where he worked to have the American President call for clemency for Riel. Louis Riel would be hanged on November 16, 1885 and Will Jackson would take up his Metis name “Honore Jaxon” and spend the next sixty-six years seeking justice for Riel and working for unity between Aboriginal peoples and the working class and people in Canada, the United States and Mexico. He would also spend that time collecting a library and archive to support the Aboriginal peoples of the Great Northwest. This library and archive would be lost during the “Red Scare” when he was evicted from his Manhattan tenement in December 1951, supposedly over $50 back rent. At the age of 91 years Honoré Jaxon was homeless on the streets of New York. After two weeks during which his library was dismantled and thrown on a garbage scow on the Hudson River he would be taken to the Bellevue Hospital where he died in the infamous Psychopathic Ward. The loss of Honoré Jaxon’s library and archive is a great historical loss. Honoré Jaxon himself would also be “willfully forgotten.” In light of the establishment of a new office for BCMF and its continuing work to educate Canadians as to the important role of Louis Riel, not only in Canadian history, but also in dealing with the continuing discrimination and colonization of Aboriginal peoples in Canada, I would like to donate “The Complete Works of Louis Riel” to BCMF as the foundation for a new LOUIS RIEL LIBRARY.
I truly wish BCMF continued success and salute its Board as well as all the volunteers and supporters.
Long Live Louis Riel!
David Doyle (Honoré Jaxon II)
[ilink url=”https://bcmetis.com/wp-content/uploads/David-Doyle-Congratulations-24-07-13.pdf” style=”download”]David Doyle Congratulations 24 07 13[/ilink]
