This collection relates to the writing and research of Honoré Jaxon: Prairie Visionary. This book completes Donald Smith’s “Prairie Imposters” popular history trilogy concerning three prominent figures who all pretended an Aboriginal ancestry they did not, in fact, possess – Honoré Jaxon, Grey Owl, and Long Lance. The material includes photocopies of material from various sources including other archives. Unless indicated titles were supplied by author/donor.
William Henry Jackson, also known as Honoré Joseph Jaxon, Louis Riel’s secretary in
1884/85 immediately before the North-West Rebellion, labour leader (b in Toronto 13
May 1861; d in New York C, NY 10 Jan 1952). After his family moved from Ontario to Prince Albert, Sask, Will Jackson joined them, abandoning his Classics course at the University of Toronto. Having completed 3 years there, he was one of the best-educated men in the area. He became secretary of the local farmers' union, and in this capacity he met Riel in the summer of 1884. Sympathetic to the Métis cause, he went to live at Batoche, Sask, to serve as Riel's secretary, converted to Roman Catholicism and later accepted Riel's new religion. After the failure of the rebellion, or “resistance,” Jackson was tried and committed to the lunatic asylum at Fort Garry, Man. Escaping 2 months later, he walked to the American border and eventually settled in Chicago, Ill. As Honoré Joseph Jaxon he worked as a union organizer for over 2 decades. "Riel's Secretary" moved to New York after WWI, where he died (Canadian Encyclopedia Online).