A man who played a major role in the development of the Métis community in the Northwest Territories will be recognized today when the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada unveils a plaque in Fort Smith.

Francois Beaulieu II was also a chief of the Yellowknife band, an Arctic guide and interpreter. He was born in 1771 and died in 1872 at the age of 101 — a life that spanned early contact between First Nations and Europeans, the fur trade, and the birth of Canada.

Angus Beaulieu,79, feels fortunate that he's able to experience the recognition of his great-great grandfather in his lifetime.

"It's nice for them to be doing that because he was special. He's done a lot for his people," Angus Beaulieu said.

Even though Francois Beaulieu II died more than 60 years before he was born, Angus Beaulieu still knows a lot about the man's history in the North.

Francois Beaulieu II was "a member of one of the oldest families established from the union of coureurs de bois and Chipewyan women in the 18th century," according to Parks Canada.

He was often to be found at pivotal moments in history. He travelled with Sir Alexander Mackenzie, and met John Franklin, joining his second, successful expedition. Ethnographer Father Émile Petitot also wrote about him.

Angus Beaulieu says the impact his great-great-grandfather left on his life has to do with the Catholic church.

"He came to Fort Resolution with his son, Pierre Beaulieu in 1852 and they established the first (Catholic) building on the mission island. He brought the priests here," Angus Beaulieu recalls from stories his grandfather Johnny always told him.

Since that time, Angus Beaulieu — who has lived in Fort Resolution for his entire life — says the majority of his family have stayed active members of the Catholic Church.

Although Angus Beaulieu doesn't go to mass as often anymore, he will offer his time and skills when needed.

"Whenever they need somebody to work on their furnace or something I don't charge them. If there is anything I can do to help people I will. That's the way my grandfather raised me to help. And his grandfather (Francois II) taught him to do the same."

'A long time coming'

Francois Beaulieu II was first recognized by Parks Canada in October 2000 when he was designated as a person of national historical significance.

The unveiling of the plaque will take place at 2 p.m. this afternoon at the community's Roaring Rapids Hall.

"It's a long time coming," said Ken Hudson, president of the Métis council of Fort Smith for the past 16 years. "This has been in the works for several years, even before my time."

Hudson said it took a couple of years just to decide where the plaque would go.

"Places they were going to put it included the lookout at Salt Plains, another area was also Salt River where he lived," he said. "It was decided that it would be better to put in Fort Smith where a lot more people would see it."

Plans for the plaque include mounting it on a cement structure along the river where tourists often go.