Métis Women in History: Annie Bannatyne: A Woman Who Would Not Be Silenced

by TJ Wallis October 8, 2026

October is Women's History Month in Canada, and throughout the month, we're celebrating some remarkable Métis women whose contributions helped shape our history.

We're beginning with Annie Bannatyne, a woman who was known for her generosity, community leadership and, rather famously, her willingness to take matters into her own hands.

And yes, that involved a horsewhip.

A prominent woman of Red River

Annie McDermot was born around 1830 at Fort Garry, in what is now Winnipeg. Her father, Andrew McDermot, was a successful merchant originally from Ireland, and her mother, Sarah McNab, was of Saulteaux and European ancestry.

Annie grew up in one of the most prominent families in the Red River Settlement. She was well educated and, in 1850, married Andrew Graham Ballenden Bannatyne, a businessman who would become an influential figure in the community.

But Annie was far more than the daughter and wife of successful men. She was a leader in her own right.

The incident that made history

In 1869, tensions were rising in the Red River Settlement as Canada prepared to expand westward. Many Métis residents were understandably concerned about what this would mean for their land, their rights and their way of life.

Enter Charles Mair, a writer and outspoken supporter of Canadian expansion.

Mair had written disparaging remarks about Métis women and Red River society in correspondence that eventually appeared in eastern Canadian newspapers, including the Toronto Globe.

Annie Bannatyne was not amused.

According to an account by Father Georges Dugas, Annie arranged to be notified when Mair arrived at her husband's store to collect his mail.

When he appeared, she marched into the store carrying a horsewhip, seized him by the nose and struck him several times.

The entire confrontation reportedly lasted less than a minute.

One can only imagine the expressions on the faces of the other customers.

The incident quickly became the talk of Red River. Even Louis Riel took notice, subsequently criticizing Mair's insulting observations about the women of the settlement.

It was a dramatic act of defiance at a time when Métis people were increasingly being portrayed as obstacles to Canadian expansion.

Her more lasting legacy

While the horsewhipping incident has become part of Red River folklore, Annie's contributions to her community deserve equal attention.

She was deeply involved in charitable work, particularly through a women's association that raised money for those in need and for health care.

Beginning in the early 1870s, Annie helped organize fundraising efforts for Winnipeg General Hospital. Her father and husband donated land for the hospital, and Annie and her fellow volunteers helped make its construction possible.

The first hospital building, completed in 1875, cost $1,818. Annie and the women raised an astonishing $1,345.80 toward that amount.

That hospital eventually became part of today's Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg.

It is a remarkable legacy for a woman whose name is perhaps better remembered for an incident involving a horsewhip.

A woman worth remembering

Annie Bannatyne died in 1908, but her place in Red River Métis history is well deserved.

She was educated, influential, generous and fiercely protective of her community's dignity.

Her story reminds us that Métis women were not simply witnesses to history. They were active participants in shaping it, whether through charitable work, community leadership or, occasionally, a very public demonstration of their displeasure.

And while we certainly wouldn't recommend Annie's particular method of settling a disagreement today, we can appreciate the determination behind it.

Annie Bannatyne was a woman who refused to be dismissed. And more than 150 years later, we're still talking about her.

Sources & Further Reading

Photo courtesy of Wiki Tree