James McKay (1828 – December 2, 1879) was a fur trader, pioneer, and pre-Canadian confederation politician and interpreter.

[2] McKay was educated at the Red River Colony and began work with the HBC in 1853 as a fur-trader and guide/interpreter.

Many distinguished visitors sought him out as a guide; he often met the HBC governor, George Simpson in Crow Wing, Minnesota, and escorted him to Upper Fort Garry.

James McKay was appointed as a member of the Temporary North-West Council along with Pierre Delorme and Joseph Royal in 1873.

He was considered to have excellent judgment; but influenced strongly by the views of the Archbishop Alexandre-Antonin Taché.