gilbert clarence monture

Dr. GC Monture, an Officer of the Order of Canada and the Order of the British Empire, an Indian rights advocate, a member of the reserve forces, and a world-renowned specialist in mineral economics, has in fact followed many eminent trails during his 77 years.

Monture was a Mohawk from the Six Nations Reserve near Hagersville, Ontario. He was a descendant of Joseph Brant and as his illustrious ancestor, he was involved in international conflict - twice.

When the First World War broke out, Monture was a student in mining and metallurgy at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. At the end of 1917, he interrupted his studies to enlist and became a gunner in the Royal Canadian Field Artillery Corps. A few months later, he was transferred to the Royal Canadian Engineers and was appointed a lieutenant. He crossed overseas in July 1918. The lieutenant did not know the fight on the battlefield, however, illness forced him to stay in England after the end of the war in November. He returned to Canada the following July.

Monture returned to school at Queen's and in 1921 earned a Bachelor's degree in mining engineering. Two years later, he accepted a position in Ottawa at the Ministry of Mines and Resources. He worked 33 years for this department and was Chief of the Mineral Resources Division in the Mines and Geology Branch.

In 1933, the 38-year-old public servant joined the militia and served for five years as a lieutenant in a CME munitions and supply company. It seemed natural that he should serve in the active army at the outbreak of the Second World War. However, a hand injury suffered in a mining accident a few years earlier prevented him from being accepted for overseas service, which greatly annoyed him.

In the end, this loss for the army was to the advantage of the Allied Forces. In early 1944, Monture was appointed Canadian Executive Assistant to the Joint (Canadian-American-British) Commission for Production and Resources.

In 1946, for his contribution to the Commission, Gilbert Monture was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). However, his reputation as a strategic planner for minerals was just beginning. Mount took part in developing similar plans for the Korean War and, in peacetime, for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). He has also served on numerous international committees dealing with economic and mineral issues as the Canadian representative for the Commonwealth and the United Nations.

Monture died in 1973. Throughout his life, he devoted himself to many causes. For example, while at Queen's University, he helped organize the first student employment service in Canada. To recognize his achievements, the SixNations made him honorary chief and named this mining engineer of 183 centimeters [6 feet] Ohstosera? Kó: wa - Great Feather. In addition, Monture received an honorary doctorate in science from the University of Western Ontario. In 1966, the Institute of Public Administration of Canada awarded him the Vanier Medal. The following year he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. Mount also appears in the Indian Hall of Fame.