The Northwest Rebellion 1885

Government and the Land 1870 Gov’t surveyed the prairies (6.4 million hectares available for farming) Speculators owned much of the land When the speculators would sell the land, a portion of the sales would be given to the gov’t Gov’t would receive about $71 million More than enough for the CPR Gov’t did not want to hear the Metis

Metis and the Land Metis in the Northwest wanted title to the land that they occupied They also wanted financial aid to help themselves become farmers They did not want to rebel against the gov’t

The Government & the Aboriginal Peoples High expenses of the CPR caused the gov’t to slash budget for the Indian Department Gov’t did not give the aid Native peoples had to rely on gov’t handouts for food, only if they were good It was a form of social control Many faced starvation Metis would support the Native peoples

Louis Riel Returns 1884 Riel returns to help the Metis in their fight He had peaceful intentions The gov’t saw him as trouble Prince Albert wrote the gov’t warning of a revolt by the Metis The gov’t thought 500 – 1100 Metis and aboriginal people were about to revolt

1884 Creates the Metis Bill of Rights Riel thought the Bill would address their grievances and help build a new provinces (much more detailed than the List of Rights) Wanted to be treated as equals, land rights 240 acres, food from gov’t It was ignored

1884 Macdonald gov’t had problems, CPR was almost bankrupt and not finished Rebellion would require troops quick He would use the Rebellion to justify more spending on the railway

1885 Eastern Militia was getting ready Manitoba Militia moved west Northwest banned the sale of ammunition Riel met in St Laurent, told the Metis a peaceful solution was not possible

First Clash The Metis and NWMP tried to negotiate at Duck Lake, near Batoche 2 Metis delegates were killed At the end of the Battle 12 NWMP were dead Crozier retreated to Fort Carlton

5000 Canadian Troops were deployed 1600 Militia clashed with Gabriel Dumont and 60 Metis near Batoche The Metis held off the Militia for a day May 9 Militia finally reach Batoche, 725 vs 175 Metis (fought for 3 days) May 15 Riel was captured, Dumont escaped to the US

Aftermath Aboriginal Leaders were tracked down and arrested Most were pardoned or sentenced to a short prison term. Gov’t now viewed the Native peoples as wayward children who had been misled Riel was charged with high treason (death penalty) Gov’t wanted to make an example of him

Trial July 1885 Lawyers for Riel wanted him to plea not guilty by reason of insanity Riel refused Riel wanted to show the people the Metis had been mistreated Riel was found guilty of high treason, but he judge did not want him to hang The gov’t had him hanged on Nov 16, 1885