DCHP-1 Online

agent

• 1 n. an official representing the Indian Affairs Branch of the federal government in its dealings with and responsibilities toward the Indians in a certain agency, reserve, or district. Formerly called Indian agent, as still in popular usage.

  See also: Indian agent  Indian superintendent  reserve agent  superintendent  

  • 1775  The said Agents or Superintendents shall have power to Confer such Honors and Rewards on the Indians, as shall be necessary.
  • 1956  None of us knew what he was trying to say until Pat interpreted. Pat told the Agent, "Says his wife has just had a baby, and how about another five bucks."
  • 1965  . . . Churchill's Indian affairs agents have set up a guide training course and a Tourist Whaling Guide Center.

• 2 n. Hist. See quotes.

  See also: eastern partner  wintering partner (def. 1)  

  • a1855  (1956)  . . . Mackenzie handed him his instructions, a letter from the Agent at Montreal, with a copy of the minutes of the council at Fort William.
  • 1802  (1900)  The said partners shall assume and be stiled Agents of the North West Company and shall be aided and assisted in all occasions by the Wintering partners. . . .
  • 1918  Of these [shares] a certain proportion was held by persons who managed the business in Canada and were styled agents of the company. Their duty was to import the necessary goods from England, store them at their own expense at Montreal, get them made up into articles suited for the trade, pack and forward them, and supply the funds that might be wanting for the outfits. . . .
  • 1930  These agents arranged with the partners of the Company in the interior (the wintering partners) each year at Grand Portage for the general management of the business.