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The Red River Rebellion

The Red River Rebellion. Background – Red River Settlement. Red River Rebellion is the name given to the events of 1869-1870, when the Métis of Red River took up arms against the Canadian Government.

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The Red River Rebellion

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  1. The Red River Rebellion

  2. Background – Red River Settlement • Red River Rebellion is the name given to the events of 1869-1870, when the Métis of Red River took up arms against the Canadian Government. • Red River Settlement was mainly Métis in the 1860’s (over 80%), close knit community of traders and hunters. Métis were descendents of mixed marriages, mostly French fur traders and Plains Natives. HOW DID REBELLION START? • When the Hudson’s Bay Company agreed to sell Rupert’s Land (3.9 million square km’s, including Red River) to Canada

  3. Problems with Purchase 1. Métis, the largest group of people in Red River, had been living in Red River for generations. 2. Believed they had inherited their land. 3. Their fate was in the hands of a country that hardly knew they existed. 4. Summer of 1869, surveyors from Canada were sent to Red River to mark off land for settlers. Surveyors did not have authority in area yet.

  4. MétisReaction • Louis Riel, emerges as leader of the Métis and stopped the surveyors. 2. Formed a National Committee, which prevented the Governor, William McDougall, from entering Red River. • Seized Upper Fort Garry, main HBC base in Red River. Didn’t want to rebel, just wanted to protect Métis rights and culture. Not against joining Canada. 4. Dec 8th, proclaimed a “Provisional Government” to negotiate with Canada and established a List of Rights. 5. Took settlers, who prepared to attack the fort, prisoners.

  5. Métis List of Rights • Right for the territory to become a province. 2. Representation in Canadian government. 3. Control over local affairs. 4. Both French and English in schools and courts • Métis retain land, customs, way of life.

  6. John Schultz He owned the Nor’wester newspaper, belonged to “Canadian Party” • An immigrant from eastern Canada, was a vocal and powerful Métis hater • He championed Canadian interests • Made comments that under modern times would be regarded as “promoting hatred” Primary Source: “The Métis should either be driven from the country, or kept as cart drivers” “The Métis, the indolent (slow) and the careless, like the native tribes of the country, will fall back before the march of superior intelligence” Rethinking Riel | CBC Archives (4:20 minute mark)

  7. Métis Rebellion • Captured John Schultz (Canadian Party) and the very hostile/angry Thomas Scott. • Scott threatened to kill Riel and hit guards. • Scott sentenced to death by Riel’s provisional government. • YouTube - Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me • YouTube - Québec History 21 - Act of Union (9:00 mins to end)

  8. Reaction to Execution • Created an uproar in Ottawa • Protestants in Ontario called for revenge. • French Canadiens supported the Métis cause (similar to their own). • Events caused a deep and emotional split in Canada. • Because of outcry, Canadian government sent troops to Red River. • At same time, MacDonald was making arrangements to meet the demands of the Métis. • Result was Manitoba Act, which created province of Manitoba, based on the Métis List of Rights

  9. Post Manitoba Act • Many of the Métis moved from Manitoba to the Northwest Territories (Saskatchewan). In 1870 ½ of the population of Red River had been Métis, in 1885 only 1/10 were Métis.

  10. Post Manitoba Act • Riel Flees to US Why? Macdonald sent 1200 troops to: -appease Ontario -protect from US annexation • Troops were very violent and attacked Metis • Primary Source:“Should these miserable half-breeds not disband, they must be put down” -Macdonald

  11. North-West Rebellion 1885 What was it? • An armed uprising that took place along the North Saskatchewan River. • Métis were led by Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont. • Other Native bands fought separately. Why did it happen? • Because the federal government failed to deal in time with the grievances of the groups of people living in central Saskatchewan.

  12. Problems on the Prairies 1. Plains Indians were nearly starving. (44:00 “Land of Discontent”) 2. Bison Herds had disappeared from Canadian plains, main source of food. 3. Employees of the Indian Department were unsympathetic to their conditions. 4. Policy of “feed one day, starve the next.” 5. White settlers also had been tricked by federal gov’t on route of the CPR (moved 200km and will not benefit from business spin-off). 6. Federal gov’t not honouring the terms and conditions of the treaties they signed.

  13. Problems for Métis 1. Land promised to them after the Red River Rebellion had been lost to settlers and speculators. • White settlers were following them to Saskatchewan. • Fearful of being cheated out of land again.

  14. He’s Back! • In 1884, Riel returned from exile in the U.S. to help the Métis in their struggle. (50:00 “Land of Discontent”) • He had changed from the Red River Rebellion. • Spent time in an insane asylum for “megalomania” • Became unstable during his exile and instead of uniting people, he divided them. • His new religious beliefs offended the Catholic priests. • His talk of defying the gov’t frightened away the whites. • YouTube - Québec History 22 - Depression and the Métis (6:00 min)

  15. Riel’s Plan to Deal with Problems on Prairies • Negotiate peacefully with Canadian gov’t – petitions sent to Ottawa. • Join the settlers union, the Métis, Cree and Blackfoot together with common grievances. • Protest if forced to, but within limits of law. Drew up Métis Bill of Rights, which addressed concerns of all groups in the Northwest). FEx 4. After being ignored, on March 18th, 1885, Riel proclaimed a provisional government at Batoche (1:17 “Batoche” and Fish Creek)

  16. Canadian Government’s Response 1. Ignored the petition • Sent the NWMP to stop Natives from rebelling • Were effective in signing smaller treaties and deals with settlers, Cree and Blackfoot, which prevented alliances with Riel and the Métis. No supplies or tools for farming. 4. Signed various treaties with the Native People of the Prairies that settled them on reserves. Signed racist document “Indian Act” which made Natives orphans to the state (Alexander Mackenzie). Fex • MacDonald returns after the Pacific Scandal and under National Policy, receives $ and support to finish railway. Used the Northwest Rebellion to his political advantage. Also saved the CPR from financial ruin in 1885. Fex • Shifted route of the CPR route (200km now further South from North Saskatchewan) because the land had been bought by members of the Syndicate. Fex • Duck Lake and Frog Lake – what happened? Who was at fault? Consequences? (refer to video)YouTube - Québec History 23 - Métis North-West Resistance (1:56) • (Frog Lake – “The Siege” 1:07) • Media reports

  17. Aftermath • Riel surrendered on May 15th • Dumont escaped to United States. • Poundmaker, Big Bear and most others were sentenced to prison. • Riel and 11 others were convicted of murder. • Riel, along with 6 Cree and 2 Assiniboine warriors, were hung. • Hanging caused an uproar in Quebec (Louis Riel)

  18. Lasting Results • For Natives and Métis, the defeat was catastrophic. 2. Government attitudes became even less sympathetic than before. 3. Systematic attempt was begun to destroy the Native’s culture. 4. Métis nation was demoralized and leaderless. • Decades would pass before the native peoples of western Canada began to recover, politically and emotionally from the effects of their defeat in 1885. 6. MacDonald looses the support of Quebec.

  19. Riel’s Trial • After Batoche, Canadian gov’t charged Riel with High Treason. (1:20 “The Trial”) Fex • Held in Regina, not pro-Manitoba • Part-time judge on case (Protestant) • Only 1 French speaking juror • Brought forward archaic law of High Treason to charge Riel • Jury met for less than an hour with recommendation of “mercy”, however he was still executed. Riel before Trial Wanted to rename the days of the week Felt he was a prophet of the New World Growing obsessions Move seat of Catholic Church to Canada Believes God wants him to appoint a new pope

  20. Hero or Villain?

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