Before the annihilation of the plains buffalo, there were millions of these huge beasts. Aboriginal people had no need to travel far from their settlements to hunt and bring the meat and fur back to their encampments.

As settlement of the United States began, the plains buffalo became more and more difficult to find. Metis people had begun a flourishing trade in the buffalo, in particular pemmican which was needed by all individuals in the new world as a food staple. The Metis began roaming further and further away from their settlement in the Red River.

In the early 1840's buffalo hunting spread farther onto the plains. The Saulteaux and Cree sometimes hunted with the Metis as did the Dakota. However, the Dakota were traditional enemies of the Saulteaux and regarded the territory of what is now southwestern Manitoba and southern Saskatchewan as theirs. Dakota opposition to buffalo hunts in these areas became common and skirmishes were frequent. Lookouts, guards and scouts became necessary for the safety of the hunters' camps. Since most of the hunters were Metis, these protective roles were assumed by the Metis.

In 1844 a skirmish erupted between the Metis and Sioux nations at Grand Coteau in South Dakota.

Two parties of Metis buffalo hunters were hunting buffalo south of the Red River Settlement. The 1,300 St. Boniface and Pembina hunters comprised the main party; the St. Francois-Xavier hunters, who numbered less than 100, hunted independently of the main party but planned "mutual support in the event of attack by Sioux". It was known that the Sioux were planning to attack the hunt and it was important therefore to give them no advantage. Several days into the hunt, five Metis scouts from the St. Francois-Xavier party sighted a large Dakota encampment. After warning the hunters, the scouts rode to the Dakota camp to negotiate; where they were taken prisoner. Two managed to escape and were able to warn the hunting party to prepare for attack. They formed a barricade of carts to fence in the oxen and horses. Throughout the night the Metis dug rifle pits beneath the carts and well in front of the barricades. A priest, Reverend LaFleche, accompanied the St. Francois-Xavier Metis on their hunt. The following morning he celebrated Mass with them. Shortly after, the Dakota attacked.

Reverend LaFleche did not take part in the battle but his presence and encouragement affected the outcome. During the battle he was situated in a cart located in the center of camp and 'A chief was heard to cry the French have a Manitou with them'. The battle ended with a Dakota chief riding into the Metis encampment and announcing that never again would the Dakota fight the Metis.

After the fighting was over the Metis had lost only one scout. In addition, they lost twelve horses and four oxen, but this was not enough to prevent them from continuing the hunt. It was later reported that the Dakota had lost eighty men in all.

After the confrontation, many of the Dakota leaders met to discuss what should be done about the situation. Seeing the wisdom of putting an end to the fighting, the Dakota took the initiative and began to negotiate for peace. They drafted a letter which they sent to the Metis by an interpreter named Lang.

The letter proposing peace was received by Cuthbert Grant, in his capacity as leader of the Metis. He replied with a letter of his own. He agreed with the need for peace and outlined the concerns which still needed to be addressed by the Dakota. Upon receiving the letter from Grant, the Dakota leaders assembled to discuss their response to it. A consensus was reached and a final proposal for peace was drafted. These letters restored peace and friendship between the Dakota and the Metis and became the basis for a peace between the Dakota and their traditional enemies, the Saulteaux. As a result of the peace, the Metis were able to move freely across the plains and to develop a strong trading network.

A future hero of the Metis nation was on this 1844 hunting expedition. Gabriel Dumont was a very small child when the Metis met the Sioux in the battle at Grand Coteau. Gabriel in later life led the rebellion of the Metis of Saskatchewan.

This treaty negotiation practice by Aboriginal people and, in particular, the one negotiated by Cuthbert Grant, enabled the peaceful settlement of Manitoba. Without this treaty the settlement of this territory on Canada would have a much more bloodied history.