The three rebellions

Red River Rebellion -The rebellion started in October 1869. -The people of the Red River began to resist a plan of the Hudson Bay Company , Britain and Canada to transfer their religion to Canada without consulting them. -In April 1869 Canada came up with an agreement with the Hudson's Bay company and Britain to take possession of Rupert's Land and Britain claimed territories in the North West.

Part of the agreement was the Canadian government paid the Hudson’s Bay Company 1.5 million dollars. Barley anyone that was living in Rupert’s Land or the North West Territories knew about the agreement that was made. The Métis people of the Red River wanted a say in their future but Canada intended to make their settlement part of a territory which would have little say. Red River Rebellion

Red River Rebellion continued… The NW company was under the government of the HBC but in that year the HBC gave away their territory to the crown. Louis Riel was the Leader of the Red River Rebellion. The Red River Rebellion was the first crises the new government faced.

Red River Rebellion Continued… The Red River Rebellion took place in what is now Manitoba. It was an uprising against Canadian government by the Métis At the time there were about 12000 settlers along the river After the Red River Rebellion most of the Métis moved to Albert, which is today the only province with Métis.

What Triggered The Red River Rebellion In December of 1869 the red river faced many troubles. Some of the troubles are: crop failures, buffalo decrease and swarms of grasshoppers. Canada and Britain made an agreement to transfer Rupert’s land to Canada.

What Triggered the Red River Rebellion continued…. Surveyors from Canada in July began to measure the land into sections for the settlement that would push the fur trade and Métis way of life of the land. The surveyors went trough the Métis farms like the Métis didn’t exist. In October 1869 Louis riel the Métis leader stopped the surveyors from crossing their land, which made the Métis very proud.

What Triggered the Red River Rebellion continued…. The next month an official Canadian Gov. tried to enter Rupert's Land- William McDougall. Canada named him the lieutenant Governor of the territory and wanted him in Red River before the transfer of the territory took place, but the Métis volunteers set up a blockade and stopped him from entering. The Métis then took control of Fort Garry, the major HBC trading post.

What Triggered the Red River Rebellion continued…. December 1869, the Métis declared a Provisional Government at Fort Garry. The members of the provisional government chose Louis Riel as president.

Louis Riel He was a Métis leader who ran all three rebellions. He was (Born) October 22,1884 (Died) November 16, 1885 His father was Métis and his mother was Canadian. He was hung in Regina for treason He went to school to become a priest but didn’t get into priesthood. He wanted to become a priest but failed He had a good education Louis Riel could speak 6 different languages.

What Made Louis Riel a Leader? When Louis was 14, he went to study at the College of Montreal. He was a good student and received good education in languages, including English, and science. When he got back to Red River after schooling he stood out in his community as someone with higher education who could speak English, French and Cree.

What Made Louis Riel a Leader continued…. During the transfer of Rupert's Land from the HBC to Canada Riel saw an opportunity to make the Red River Settlement as a province. He understood Confederation could give the settlement an elected (provincial) government control. The settlement could also set conditions for joining Canada , like rights for Francophone, Catholic and Métis.

What Made Louis Riel a Leader continued…. Then in December 1869, The Métis formed a provisional government without elections and chose Louis Riel as president.

Gabrielle Dumont He was born at the Red River He was known as the man who led the small Métis military forces He was Louis Riel's right handed man He was well known for his hunting skills He proved himself as a commander of his tiny army experiencing success against government forces at Duck Lake

Isidore Dumont His father, Isidore Dumont was a farmer at the time of Gabriel's birth Born at Red River, Dumont was the son of buffalo hunter Isidore Dumont and grandson of French Canadian voyageur Jean-Baptiste Dumont

The Death of Thomas Scott Louis Riel had Thomas Scott arrested. Thomas Scott was shot right in the forehead. He was executed on May 4 1870 by the Métis.

Duck Lake Rebellion The rebellion started March 26, 1885 Duck Lake battle was the first in the NW Rebellion. Duck Lake is today called Saskatchewan. The Duck Lake rebellion compared to the battles with all the Canadian troops in the next few decades or later battles in the NW rebellions, this battle was very small.

Duck Lake Rebellion continued…. The Duck Lake battle served as the opening bout between the Métis forces and those of the Dominion of Canada in a rebellion which would help shape Canada. Before the battle, Louis Riel had instituted a provisional government at Batoche.

Duck Lake Rebellion continued…. The federal troops, Métis and First Nations warriors under Riel and Gabriel Dumont raided a  store at Duck Lake for food, provisions and weapons, taking control of the town.

Duck Lake Rebellion continued…. Leif Crozier, the superintendent of the NWMP sent a group of his men to Duck Lake, late in the day to get the provisions and weapons for themselves but they did not know that the Métis gained control of the town and taking all the goods. Lief Crozier

Duck Lake Rebellion continued… On the morning of the battle , Crozier’s force made their way to Duck Lake, they hoped to avoid a confrontation and to instead convince the Dominion forces to surrender and retreat without harm, but Gabrielle Dumont, Isidore Dumont and Cree Chief rode forward on their horses to meet the commanders.

Duck Lake Rebellion Continued… Seeing the two rebels riding forth to meet them, Leif Crozier and Joe McKay, also rode ahead in front of their force. The death of Isidore Dumont came from the shot of McKay’s riffle. Crozier shouted out an order for his force to open fire on the Métis. Crozier’s troops took cover in the brush and behind their sleds, while a force of Métis took shelter in an abandoned log cabin.

Duck Lake Rebellion Continued… Troops from both the NWMP and Prince Albert Rifles attempted to rush the cabin, but through the deep snow and the fire coming from the Métis defenders, caused the troops to fail. The Métis won over heavy fire.

Duck Lake Rebellion Continued… Angry over the death of his brother, Gabrielle Dumont, intended on using the huge numbers of the Métis, to chase the troops of Crozier and destroy them. However, Louis Riel stopped Dumont from doing so, arguably saving many lives on both sides.

Duck Lake Rebellion Continued… The Battle of Duck Lake showed the Métis and First Nations tribes that the federal forces of the Dominion of Canada were not invincible and could be beat in a fight.

The Battle Of Batoche The battle of Batoche lasted 3 days. General Middleton launched an attack against 350 Métis and First Nations who hid the riffle pits in front of Batoche

Battle of Batoche continued… Gabriel Dumont and 350 Métis were to defend Batoche. Dumont believed that the only effective way of accomplishing this was by a quick surprising strike and an immediate fight. Louis Riel was not with this plan. He wanted to avoid violence as long as possible, in the hope of carrying negotiations through to a successful end. This attitude of Riel and his lack of support for his General Dumont, had bad consequences for the Métis, as it stopped Middleton to go to batoche in safety. Dumont's next strategy was to set a trap for Middleton at Fish Creek.

Battle of Batoche continued… On April 24, 1885, Riel and Dumont set out from Batoche with 200 Métis. As they arrived at Fish Creek, Riel once again changed his mind and wanted the Métis to return to Batoche. Dumont sent 50 men back to Batoche under Riel's leadership. When the soldiers attacked at Fish Creek, the soldiers fought from the open at the top of the coulee where they were easy targets

Battle of Batoche continued… Many of them were killed. In the fighting, the Métis were forced to gradually withdraw to the bottom of the coulee where they were hidden and protected by thick willow bushes. With Gabriel Dumont in command, the battle of Fish Creek ended in a Métis victory.

Battle of Batoche continued… During this time, the Métis Provisional government held regular meetings. Their government decided that Riel's position was great. Each morning, Riel brought new religious ideas to be discussed and voted on. Also, many of them accepted Riel's belief that God would use a miracle to help the Métis win the next battle..

Battle of Batoche continued… Métis people were very religious, having been influenced from the beginning of their nation building by the Roman Catholic Church and in particular, the Grey Nuns of Montreal. Their faith in Riel during this period of time is to be expected; however, within a few days, things would change dramatically

Battle of Batoche continued… Meanwhile, Dumont made plans to defend the village of Batoche. A bunch of rifle pits were dug around the village. Dumont sent messengers to ask all the First Nations in the Northwest to join the Métis, but they were dealing with their own issues and their own battles, which kept them at a distance and they were not able to assist the Métis directly. Dumont had only 250 men to face 850 soldiers.

Battle of Batoche continued… Cautious after Fish Creek, Middleton stopped for two weeks to rest his men. The final battle took place from May 9th to 12th at Batoche. The Métis were dug in and trenches stretched the perimeter of the village. Middleton decided to attack Batoche from two sides at the same time. He planned to have a boat sent down the river to Batoche where it would attack from the west. Meanwhile, Middleton would lead his soldiers in an attack from the east.

Battle of Batoche continued… Middleton and his soldiers marched towards Batoche. They arrived an hour late, so the gunboat had already passed and the Métis and First Nations were back in their rifle pits. Middleton had field guns and fired at the village of Batoche. The women and children in terror. Middleton began to attack with his soldiers. But the Métis men were fairly safe in their rifle pits which had been carefully hidden in the bushes. Once again, Middleton's soldiers fought from higher ground where they were easy targets. At the end of the first day of fighting, Middleton believed he was losing.

Battle of Batoche continued… The next morning, Middleton decided to delay a major attack. His men needed a rest, and he hoped that the Métis defense would weaken with time. For the next two days, Middleton made use of his field guns and the gatling gun, but he avoided a major attack.

Battle of Batoche continued… By the morning of the fourth day, some of the Métis had realized that the battle was hopeless, so they left. Many of the Métis that remained were old men. They were running out of bullets. Some were firing stones from their shotguns.

Battle of Batoche continued… As the armies fought in the distance, a group of Métis in the town asked Riel to work a miracle. Middleton's army became over anxious and while Middleton was indisposed, they began a frontal attack. The attack was poorly organized and allowed many of the Métis to escape to the safety of the bushes. Riel and Dumont fled as well.

After the Battle. With the May 12 defeat of the Métis, Batoche was lost, families were scattered and the people lived in fear for themselves or their relatives who might be wounded

More on Louis Riel Louis Riel was branded a traitor to Canada – but he was no traitor. He was a patriot who stood up for his people and his beliefs.

More on Louis Riel In November of 1869 Riel, as a leader of the Métis people and the territory of Red River, writing of a List of Rights preceding the entry of Manitoba into confederation. Louis Riel sent in a list of rights to the Canadian Government. In part, the List of Rights included: That the people have the right to elect their own legislature. That all sheriffs, magistrates, constable, school commissioners, etc. be elected by the people. That English and French were to be commonly used by the government. That all documents and Acts of the legislature be published in English and French. That (the Territory) have a fair and full representation in the Canadian Parliament. That all privileges, customs and usage existing at the time of the transfer be respected.

THE END