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The Surveyors Arrive
Surveyors arrived and started marking land into squares for new settlers. The problem was, this land was already claimed by Métis families.The Métis became worried and angry. So Louis Riel spoke for the Métis and told the surveyors to stop. They did, and left the area to avoid a fight. -
National Committee of the Métis
After the surveyors left, the Métis got together to discuss the situation. They formed the National Committee of the Métis. The Métis knew that the surveyors would be back soon to survey the land again, so they needed some strategies. -
Forming a Government
The French and English speaking Métis realized that they needed to form a government if they wanted to join confederation and have the same rights as other colonies. So the Métis formed a government, and Louis Riel became the first leader. -
Negotiating
Sir John A. MacDonald decided it was better to negotiate with the Métis' government than go take over their land by force. So he sent a few messengers to talk to the Métis and the Métis in return sent three representatives to Ottawa.
The representatives brought with them the Métis Bill of Rights. -
Trouble in Fort Gary
Not everyone who lived in Fort Gary agreed with their new government. They were planning to attack it, so Riel put them into jail. He agreed to release anyone who promised to either leave the Red River area or obey the government. Some prisoners escaped and made plans to attack again, but they were caught and thrown back in jail. One man, Thomas Scott, said he would escape and kill Louis Riel. Scott’s actions were serious offences, so he was put on trial, found guilty and executed. -
Trouble in Ottawa
When people in Ottawa found out about Thomas Scott’s execution, they became very angry. They wanted Louis Riel to be punished.
Because many Métis were French speaking, they supported Riel because he was defending their culture. Sir John A. MacDonald decided not to arrest Riel, because if he did, the French voters wouldn't vote for him in the next election. MacDonald was also looking for a peaceful solution. -
The Province of Manitoba
MacDonald and the Métis worked out an agreement with each other, and thus the Manitoba Act was created. The province of Manitoba joined confederation and was part of Canada.
