James Isbister

An interpreter for the Hudson's Bay Company for many years, Isbister was talented linguistically, speaking English, Gaelic, Cree, Dene, and Michif.

Isbister began farming in the summer of 1862 one mile east of the present day federal penitentiary at Prince Albert.

By 1884, both settler and Métis discontent was growing rapidly due to poor agricultural conditions and unresolved land issues in the Saskatchewan Valley region.

As a community leader, Isbister was selected as one of the four delegates (along with Gabriel Dumont) sent to recall Louis Riel from Montana to lead the people in seeking government action to address the situation.

Following the North-West Rebellion, Isbister was active in the Anglican Church of Canada in the Prince Albert area, and lived out his last days in that community.