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Richard Charles Hardisty, fur trader, senator (born 3 March 1831 at Fort Mistassini, near James Bay, QC; died 15 October 1889 in Winnipeg, MB). Richard Hardisty was a chief factor stationed at Fort Edmonton for the Hudson’s Bay Company. He ran for political office in 1887, and he was appointed to the Senate in 1888. Hardisty was the first Métis person to be appointed to the Senate.
Early Life and Career
Richard Hardisty was the son and grandson of chief factors of the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) and one of six brothers in the company's service. His father was Richard Hardisty, and his mother was Margaret Sutherland, who was Métis. Hardisty was educated at Red River Academy (later St John's College, Winnipeg) before joining the HBC as an apprentice postmaster in the Red River District. His advancement was steady. In 1872, he was appointed chief factor at Fort Edmonton, administering a vast district that covered much of present-day Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Political Career
In 1887, Richard Hardisty ran as an Independent candidate for the District of Alberta in the federal election. One platform of his campaign was the protection of Métis rights. He did not win the district. However, the following year he was named to the Senate. In being named senator, he was the first senator for Alberta and the first Métis senator in Canada. He held his seat in the Senate until his death on 15 October 1889.
