Paspebiac riots of 1886

324. Further Historical Evidence of “Métis” in the Region of Paspébiac, Québec During the Riots of 1886: This folder contains a copy of the Saturday, February 20, 1886 issue of the Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec newspaper, “Le Courrier de St-Hyacinthe.” The importance of this issue lies in a short article found in column 02 of page 03, which is entitled, “L’émeute de Paspébiac.” Unfortunately, the Author of this article isn’t mentioned therefore, I’m unable to provide you with any biographical information for the Author.

That being said, it’s now time to begin our discussion concerning “L’émeute de Paspébiac.” Due to its brevity, I’ve chosen to provide you with the entire article, which is as follows:

“L’émeute de Paspébiac - L’émeute d’hier se continue aujourd’hui.
Les L’émeutiers demandent des provisions les meneurs ne sont pas ceux qui sont dans le besoin.
Les français et les anglais, ne prendront probablement pas part à cette agitation. La difficulté est soulevée pas les métis qui sont des descendants d’Acadiens et de Micmacs.
Aucune arrestation n’a encore été faite. Les autorités ne peuvent apaiser les émeutiers.
La situation est assez grave pour causer des anxiétés. Il faudra nécessairement renvoyer la police pour mettre fin aux troubles.”

This loosely translates to:

“The riot of Paspébiac - The riot of yesterday continues today.
The rioters demand supplies The leaders are not those who are in need.
The French and the English, will probably not take part in this agitation. The difficulty is raised by the métis who are the descendants of Acadians and Micmacs.
No arrest has yet been made. The authorities cannot appease the rioters. The situation is serious enough to cause anxiety. It will be necessary to send the police to put an end to the troubles.”

Although the information found in “L’émeute de Paspébiac” has already been discussed throughout this collection (see “Folders #50 and 121” of “Volume 1” of this collection and “Folder #288” of “Volume 3” of this collection), it’s still a welcome addition to this collection.

The importance of “L’émeute de Paspébiac” lies in the fact that it provides us with details concerning the 1886 riots in Paspébiac written on the day(s) that the event took place. 
The most important part of this article however, lies in the fact that its Author asserts the rioters were “métis qui sont des descendants d’Acadiens et de Micmacs” (“métis who are the descendants of Acadians and Micmacs”). This is important because the article distinguishes these people from the “English” and from the “French.”

One minor issue that I have with this article however, is that it was likely the rioters were largely the descendants of the original “Norman”/“French” fisherman and the local Mi’kmaq women in the area, not the descendants of the “Acadians and Micmacs”. I base this assertion on the other documentation that we’ve discussed throughout this collection concerning the mixed-blooded people of Paspébiac, Québec, who were historically referred to as “Paspyjacks,” “Paspébiacs,” “Paspéya,” etc.

In conclusion, as recently stated, the information found in “L’émeute de Paspébiac” has already been discussed throughout this collection however, this document is rather important.

The primary importance of this document is that it asserts the rioters were “métis qui sont des descendants d’Acadiens et de Micmacs” (“métis who are the descendants of Acadians and Micmacs”).

The second importance is that it provides us with documentation written during the riots and is therefore “invaluable” in the “grand scheme of things” because it provides primary evidence to support that the people involved in the riots were largely, if not entirely “métis” people.