James Gladstone (;

Career

After leaving school in 1905, Gladstone returned to the Blood reserve where he worked as an interpreter. He also found work on ranches wrangling cattle. In 1911, he found work with the Royal North-West Mounted Police as a scout and interpreter and also worked as a mail carrier on the reserve. He is also reported as being a typesetter at one time at the Calgary Herald.

He was married to Blood member Janie Healy. After his marriage he was registered a member of the Blood reserve. Eventually, Gladstone established himself as a farmer and successful rancher and was sent to Ottawa three times to press for improvements to the Indian Act. His acceptance by both Blackfoot and Cree assisted him in bringing the different groups together in one political organization.

Senate appointment

He was nominated to the Senate by Progressive Conservative Prime Minister John Diefenbaker in January 1958, at age 70.

Posthumous recognition

A biography of Senator Jim Gladstone, written by Alberta historian (and Gladstone's son-in-law) Hugh Dempsey, is entitled The Gentle Persuader.

In 2017, the Bank of Canada unveiled a commemorative Canadian ten-dollar note in honour of Canada 150, featuring Gladstone's portrait alongside Sir John A. Macdonald, Sir George-Étienne Cartier, and Agnes Macphail.

References

  • Indian Association of Alberta review of the IAA's history with attention to Gladstone's role in the organization.
  • The Gentle Persuader: A Biography of James Gladstone, Indian Senator by Hugh A. Dempsey (review)