The Creation of Manitoba Second Metis Uprising The Creation of Manitoba

Surveyors Arrive In the summer of 1869 surveyors arrived and started marking land into squares for settlers. The problem was, the land that was being surveyed was already claimed by Métis families. The Métis became worried and angry. One man named Louis Riel who spoke for the Métis told the surveyors to stop, they did and left the area to avoid a fight.

The Metis try to Protect their Land After the surveyors left the Métis from Red River got together to discuss the situation and they formed the National Committee of the Métis. The Métis of Red River knew that the surveyors would be back and would be surveying the land for new settlers.

Forming a Provisional Government The French and English speaking Métis in the Red River realized that they needed to form a government if they wanted to join confederation and have the same rights as other colonies. In December 1869 the Métis formed a provisional government( a government that takes over until a final government is in place) and Louis Riel became the leader.

Negotiating John A. MacDonald decided it was better to negotiate with the Métis provisional government that to their land by force. MacDonald sent messengers to talk to the Métis and the Métis in return sent three delegates to Ottawa in February 1870. The delegates brought with them the Métis Bill of Rights. The Prime Minister agreed with almost all the items on the Bill of Rights In 1870 the government passed the Manitoba act

Key Points of the Manitoba Act Manitoba could send four members to the House of Commons in Ottawa and two members to the Canadian Senate. People in Manitoba could use either French or English in schools and government. Approximately 560000 hectors of land was kept for Métis families.

Riel Leaves After the Manitoba Act the Prime Minister sent 1200 soldiers to the Red River that were supposed to “keep the peace” Many of the soldiers thought their job was to punish the Metis and capture Louis Riel Knowing he was in danger, Riel escaped across the border to the United States

Second Metis Uprising Each family was suppose to receive a scrip of land but many Metis didn’t receive their land Newcomers from the East did not show respect for the Metis identity and way of life By the 1880’s the Metis faced a number of challenges to their way of life, such as starvation and poverty that resulted from the drastically reduced buffalo population There was growing tensions between the government and Metis

Riel Returns The Metis and First Nations sent at least 15 petitions to Ottawa to address their concerns, the government ignored all of them A group of Metis led by Gabriel Dumont, travelled to the United States and invited Louis Riel back to Canada Louis Riel returns and sets up a new government and a new Bill of Rights When nothing happened, Riel suggested they take up arms

Rising in Arms The Northwest Resistance was violent and brief The Metis defeated a group of North West Mounted Police The federal government rush thousands of soldiers west It wasn’t long before the Metis ran out of bullets and were firing stones and nails After three days of fighting they surrendered

The Fate of Louis Riel Following the resistance, more than a dozen Metis ended up in prison. Louis Riel surrendered and stood trial for treason A jury found him guilty and Riel was sentenced to hang