NORTHWEST REBELLION

Métis and FN in the Northwest, Riel Returns, Métis Bill of Rights

Métis in the Northwest territories 1884 losing patience

with Canadian Government

- Unclear status under the Indian Act

- Not part of the treaty process

- Increasing immigration of settlers

- Feared loss of rights

First Nations Starving- FN signed treaties

gave up their land and moved to reserves.

- government broke promises about providing food after the buffalo were all but killed off.

- Government refused to feed “difficult people”

    “They made us many promises, more than I can remember, but

they kept only one; they promised to take our land, and

they did.” Chief Red Cloud

First Nations in need of help First Nations came to

the Métis and settlers for help and aid

The Métis and settlers angry

- felt they had to pay for the government’s broken promises.

Métis Petitions

Sent to the government to try to make sure Métis rights are recognized

Canadian Government Agenda Surveys told the

government that 6. 4 million hectares of land

= 71 million dollars in government revenue

NO Métis petition was going to stand in the way

Métis take action!

Here we go, the start of the Northwest rebellion

Where is riel? After Red River- Sent into exile 5

years, lasted 15- Turned to religion- Convinced he is a

profit- Time in a asylum- Settled in Montana- Married, 2 kids,

teacher (like me!)

Return of the king!

1884 Métis needed a strong and iconic leader

Gabriel Dumont asked Riel to return as the Métis Leader

Métis Bill of rights Addressed Métis grievances Written by Riel and William Henry

Jackson (local farmer representative) Included concerns of Métis and non-

Métis people (FN, European farmers) living in the Northwest Territories

Sent to Ottawa Dec 1884 and acknowledged by gov., but rights ignored!

Did the government want a rebellion?Rebellion would prove:-the Métis were violent and unruly

Crushing the Rebellion would:-Prove the value of and need for the CPR-Free up Métis land for settlement -Ensure Métis did not gain land rights

-Did HBC Factor Clarke promote a rebellion?

Government prepares for rebellionThe government passed a law making it illegal to sell bullets to the Métis living in the Northwest Territories.

AGAIN Riel sends another Petition-Riel knew the government was in possession of the Métis Bill of Rights-This petition demanded responsible government for the Northwest Territories

Government prepares for the rebellion

HBC Chief Factor and Magistrate Lawrence Clarke became the government’s informant

Wants the Métis gone- Made a ton of cash in

land speculation- Feared lose everything if

Métis granted land rights

Riel and Clarke- the final straw! Riel picked Clarke as

their representative- Political connections- Riel assumed

sympathetic Clarke went to Ottawa- The only answer the

Métis will receive for their petition was bullets

- 500 NWMP sent to arrest Riel

Justice Commands us! March 19 Riel at

Batoche- Peaceful solution

impossible- Canadian

government determined to make war

- “justice commands us to take up arms”

Battle of Duck Lake May 26 1885

Métis moved on Fort Carlton to seize supplies

- NWMP Superintendent Lief Crozier confronted Métis army at Duck Lake

- Negotiations failed- 2 Métis shot!

- Both sides open fire

Métis Victory at Duck Lake the Métis were better

marksmen, and, they knew the land better…they were victorious at Duck Lake.

12 NWMP dead, 25 wounded

Fort Carlton evacuated

Empire STRIKES BACK!

Canadian government mobilized 5000 troops

Troops arrive in just 5 days! Entire force in 10 days!- Thanks CPR

General Middleton in charge

Battle of fish creek Dumont knew to

ambush Canadian troops before they reached Batoche

- Ambushed at Fish Creek

- 300 Métis stopped 1600 militia soldiers

Canadian Army has Gatling Gun

Riel’s mental state? Said God himself was

talking to him and telling him he was “the chosen leader of the Métis people”.

During battles, he would find a hill and climb to the top, hold a crucifix over his head to bless the Métis soldiers.

Battle of Batoche May 9 Métis stronghold-

Batoche attacked by Canadian troops

- Had canons and Gatling Gun

- Métis short on bullets and used rocks

Battle of Batoche Métis defeated- surrender or flee- Dumont fled to the US- Riel surrendered May 15- thought trial

could bring his cause to attention Death toll- 53 Canadian soldiers and volunteers- 35 Métis and First Nations

Chief Poundmaker Refused to join the

NW Rebellion- Believed resistance

was futile- His people attacked

by Canadian troops at Cut Knife Hill

- Arrested for treason, sentenced to 3 years

Chief Big Bear Refused to join the

NW Rebellion- 1885 his people

refused supplies at Frog Lake

- Wandering Spirit took 9 hostages- killed

- Big Bear convicted of treason- 3 years

- Wandering Spirit executed

Chief Crowfoot Refused to join NW

Rebellion Railway dispute- Railway building on

his reserve- Peaceful negotiations- Got compensated

with extra land- Willaim Van Horne

awarded him CPR lifetime pass

Trial of Riel July 28 1885 Taken to Regina and

charged with treason Lawyers wanted

Insane defense Riel wanted to argue

Métis forced to fight Not allowed to testify

or question witnesses

6 man jury

Found Guilty of treason August 1 Found guilty after 1

hour- jury recommended mercy

Law required death penalty

Quebec petitions demanded mercy

Hanged November 16 1885

Métis and First Nations

Métis First Nations

No land titles, forced to squat on public land reserved for roads

Half-breed became an insult

Moved into cities to hide ancestry

81 charged with murder or treason- 44 convicted

No translation in court 8 hanged for murder in

Battleford November 17 At the mercy of the

government

Hero or villain?