Isadore (dit Ekapow) "Ay-sa-pow" Dumont, Sr

Isadore was a prosperous man owning a mud plaster house and barn, four Red River carts and some canoes. The family had all the wild game and fish they wanted - no self-respecting Métis would eat meat that wasn't wild. But in 1840, Isadore Dumont grew restless and moved the family back to the wilds of Saskatchewan's plains and forested river valleys.

Before the move, Isadore took part in one, last, Red River buffalo hunt. Gabriel, then 3, went along as part of the hunting party of 1,630 people, 1,210 carts, 400 hunting horses and 500 dogs - the hunting party was a procession that stretched five miles in length. They travelled 25 kilometres a day and posted sentries at night to guard against their biggest enemy, the Sioux.

Once scouts found a herd, hundreds of Métis hunters would charge full gallop into the bolting beasts, shooting from the hip and reloading at top speed with balls carried in their mouths. The best hunters, which Gabriel was to become, would kill more than a dozen bison a day.

In that 1840 hunt, 1,375 buffalo were killed the first day alone. After two months, the procession headed back to Red River. Five Métis had been killed by lightning on the open plain. One died during a surprise Souix attack and eight Souix were killed in retaliation. Ross estimated they returned with 500 tons of meat and pemmican, and left as much rotting on the ground.

Isadore Dumont's share of the kill was 3,500 pounds. It was one of the last great Canadian hunts.