About Charles Sauvé
Charles was born September 26, 1859 on the Hudson Bay Company Post, Great Slave Lake. After the death of his Father (at six years of age) his Mother moved to Winnipeg and raised her son in St. Vital, MB. Charles was schooled at St. Boniface College. Charles Sauvé’s family home was on Lot 49 and the Riel farm was on Lot 51.
1879, Charles Sauvé married Julie Lariviere (a cousin of
Louis Riel and niece of André Nault).
1875, Pierre Sauvé (Charles’s older brother) married Marie
Dumont (daughter of Gabriel Dumont).
June 29th 1883, during Louis Riel’s visit to the family home, his life was threatened by the Orangemen of Winnipeg. Charles Sauvé provided a witness statement to the U.S. Consul in Winnipeg asking for protection for Mr. Riel.
May 9 to May 12 1885, Joseph Sauvé Jr. (Little Iroquois, Charles’s older brother)
fought at the battle of Batoche.
November 1885, Charles Sauvé and Louis Lavallée (Louis Riel’s brother in law) were sent by train to Regina, on the dangerous mission to retrieve the body of the executed Métis leader.
March 1st 1889, Charles Sauvé became le secrétaire, the secretary, of l’Union Métisse Saint-Joseph du Manitoba; a position he served in for 8 years.
October 3rd 1892, Josephine Sauvé was born to Charles Sauvé and Julie Lariviere. Family friend and relative, Joseph Riel, was asked to stand as Godfather.
Given the dedication Charles felt for the Métis Cause and his unwavering loyalty to the memory of Louis Riel, it is significant to note that he died on the anniversary day of Louis Riel’s death - November 16th 1932.
After the death of Charles Sauvé, Josephine Sauvé revealed the Louis Riel biography manuscript “Life of Riel” written by her father. Josephine also revealed that her father had passed on to her the family responsibility of safe-keeping Louis Riel’s 1885 Batoche Journal.
Josephine Sauvé passed on the verbal history of the family’s role in the events of 1869 - 1885 as well as Charles Sauve’s later experience as secretary of the Métis Union to her daughter Joan D. Smith. Joan in turn passed the verbal history and the spirit and passion of Charles Sauvé’s mission on to her son Bradly J. Mix.
CLARLES SAUVE HELPS US UNDERSTAND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LOUIS RIEL'S LEADERSHIP AND CHARACTER
"Louis Riel was none other than the soul incarnate of the French-Canadian Métis people; better than anyone else, he defended the Métis cause at great personal risk while in continual conflict with the figures of power and influence of his time. This proves that if we wish to be true to our cause, if we wish to show respect to Riel - his works, his example and the blood he spilled on the gallows in Regina - we too must struggle against those in positions of power and authority, those who show no sympathy for our cause. To do otherwise is to make a
mockery of all the sacrifices, all the suffering and even the blood that he shed for the true French-Canadian Métis Cause. ...
... It is true that Divine Providence has protected the French-Canadian Métis people in a remarkable manner. After having seen the execution of our leader - after having endured all manner of trials and tribulations - our national mourning was at its height. The general view of the Métis people was that we had been destroyed, that we would disappear forever. And yet, even as the grieving nation mourned the death of its leader, the blood of that noble martyr was destined to bear fruit. With his very blood, the martyr of Regina watered the great national cause. ...
...I say that in respecting Riel, his works, his cause, and his behaviour; in
following the example he provided, we do him great honour. In respecting him, we show respect to our cause. In showing respect to our cause, we follow the example he provided. In following the example he provided, we strive - as he did - to see peace and charity reign amongst us. In practicing true charity in our relations with each other, we are obliged to respect and love each other. Let us seize every opportunity to aid one another in the goal of completing the task that we have set for ourselves as a people. Thus, to respect and preserve our national cause, we must join together as one to defend our rights with courage and fortitude. In acting in this way, we will soon see all of the good that can result. Let us continue to work for justice in all that is acceptable before God and continue to work for His greater glory."
- Charles Sauve March 15th, 1908
