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Louis Riel and the National Metis Comitee
Louis Riel returns to the Red RIver from Montreal when he is 24. Surveyors are found on Metis land. They are told by Riel that they are tresspassing, and a week later, Riel creates the National Metis Comitee. The NMC would fight for Metis rights, like their land. -
Transfer of Rupert's Land
Finding Rupert's Land too expensive to keep, the HBC sells it to Canada in November 1869. A year later, Canada would join this new land with the North-Western Territory to rename the whole region the North-West Territories. -
The Provisional Government
The NMC creates a provisional government, with Riel being the president. This government would help maintain order and would give the people of Red River the power to negotiate an agreement to enter Confederation. -
Lieutenant Governor McDougall's Mistake
Lieutenant Governor McDougall was strongly anti-French and antagonized Riel. His proclamation as governor of the North-West Territories was a mistake because by doing so, it not only voided his position, it established the reality of Riel's government. Riel now had the right to form a government or country and to negoitate with the Canadian government. -
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December 1869-January 1870
In early December, Riel arrests John Schultz, the owner of an anti-Metis newspaper, and 48 of his followers. Donald Smith, an official of the HBC is sent by Macdonald to negotiate. Riel and Smith agree to send representivves of the ogvernment to Ottawa. Meanwhile, Schultz and some of his men had escaped from the prison, and were recaptured trying to free the others. -
The execution of Thomas Scott
After his recapturing, Thomas Scott became very challenging to handle. He was put on trial for treason, found guilty, and sentenced to death by firing squad the next day. This event marks the end of the threat of war between the Metis and Canada. By March end, Metis delegates were heading to Ottawa to begin talks of the creation of Manitoba -
Metis List of Rights
This is an important Canadian document. It is the base of the Manitoba Act, and it reflects the concerns of those who lived in the Red River area. -
The Indian Act
The Indian Act formalized the assimilation of First Nations, provided government administration of reserves and treaty rights across the Dominion. This Act ruled that First Nations could only live on reserves, had to register, or else, they would lose their rights, and their children had to atend residential schools. Furthermore, ceremonies were banned and special passes wer requied to come and go onto the reserves, creating distrust between First Nations and their neighbors. -
Causes of the Northwest Uprising
The Metis wanted legal title to their occupied lands, and a uniform way of land surevying, which the goverment refused to do. European farmers also had similar concerns that were not being addressed by the Canadian government. Instead of listening to the people, they ignored them and began plans to build a railway. The budget of the Indian Affairs department was slashed, and First Nations had to rely on the government for survival. -
Louis Riel's return
Louis Riel had been exiled and moved to Montana where he began a family. In 1884, he was approached by leaders of the Metis to help lead the Metis again. He agreed and collaborated with others to create the Metis Bill of Rights. -
Lawrence Clarke
Lwarence Clarke originally supported Riel's return, but later changed his opinion because he feared that he would lose his weath if the Metis were granted land. He became an informant and spreaded false rumors and reported on the Metis' reactions. Levels of uncertainty, tension and distruct as a result rose in the Metis community. Riel sent Clarke as a representative to the Metis for another petition. -
Lawrence Clarke
He returned, bearing the message that there would be a war, with 500 North West Mounted Police arriving to arrest Riel. Riel, believing Clarke, decided to begin war. At Duck Lake, shots were fired and the Northwest Uprising had begun. -
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Battles
General Middleton was in charge of the 5000 Canadian troops dispatched to quell the rebelion. By mid-April, he was approaching Batoche. On April 24, the rebel gernal Dumont was able to stop 1600 militia with less than 300 soldiers. Two weeks later, Batoche was attacked, and Middleton used cannons and a Gatling gun, forcing the Metis to use up precious ammunition. Out of resources, Dumont fled to the US, and Riel surrendered. The cost of this uprising cost Canada 5 million.