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Cuthbert’s mother was Métis. That means she was
of mixed blood. Her parents were Indigenous (Cree)

and European. Sadly, very little attention was given
to Métis women at that time. So, no one accurately
recorded the name of Cuthbert’s mother.

The elder Cuthbert Grant provided in his will that
both his sons, Cuthbert and James, be educated.

He named William McGillivray, the North West
Company’s agent in Montreal, as their guardian.

Cuthbert’s older brother, James, had been sent to
school in Scotland two years earlier. Children of the
fur trade were often sent back to Scotland or England

to receive formal schooling. And, times
being what they were, the Indigenous
wives didn’t have a say in where

their children would live. It was
left for the men to decide.

Although Cuthbert may
have been meant to follow
his brother to Scotland,

most sources indicate that
he stayed in Montreal

for his schooling instead.

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