Part 2: Canada After Confederation

At this time, Canada was a new-born Conditions were not good for many citizens Certain Canadians took a stand to make major changes to things that could improve their lives. They were being active citizens. For example: Nelly McClungNelly McClung

Emerging Identities The Metis population in the west was growing quickly Many lived in Red River, Manitoba. They made up the demographics of the area: characteristics of a group of people living together They were a mix of FN and Europeans – many “white” Canadians held racist views The Cree called them “Otipemisiwak” which meant they were their own “bosses”

In Red River, the demo. was mixed: 1.Country born: children of British and FN 2.Cree and Anishinabe 3.Catholic missionaries: built schools and churches 4.Canadiens: the French 5.British HBC employees

Metis Identity Created their own language, art, poetry, music, dance, economy, and values 1.Language: most knew how to speak French, English, and various FN *some also spoke a mixed language of French and FN called “Michif” 2.Economy: fur trading, growing crops, hunting buffalo

3.Music/Art/Dance: Pierre Falcon was a famous poet and songwriter in Red River 4.Food: the Metis ate “pemmican” – a mix of meat, fat, and berries. It would last a long time, making it good for travelling

Conflict… A man from Scotland named Lord Selkirk bought land from the HBC that was owned by the Metis He brought with him a large group of settlers who had no land in Scotland The Metis had no way to prove they “owned” the land, and began to be scared that they would lose it

Reasons for fighting Selkirk began fighting with the Nor’Westers (French fur traders) over land, and buffalo The governor even banned the Metis from trading pemmican – a huge part of their economy The Metis began fighting back by stealing farm equipment, and scaring Scottish settlers. Many left

Battle of Seven Oaks

June 1816 – a group of Metis come to a fur- trading fort to confront the Scottish settlers After arguing, one settler fired on the Metis. A gunfight broke out In the end, one Metis and 21 settlers were dead

Migration West Because the HBC was hunting so much buffalo, they were running out for the Metis The Metis decided to move West and form new communities

Red River Resistance, 1869 The West was known as Rupert’s Land, and the Canadian gov’t didn’t think it was useful 1850’s: gov’t scientists went West, and found out the land was good for farming The gov’t began to think it would be good for Rupert’s Land to join Canada – good farmland in the East was running out

P.O.V. on the West George Brown -newspaper owner/writer -believed that the West could make Canada rich John A. MacDonald -scared that if Canada did not claim the land, the Americans would First Nations -did not want to give traditional land to the gov’t

In 1869, the Canadian gov’t bought Rupert’s Land from the HBC for $1.5 million Now, the West was a part of confederation The Metis became very scared that they would be assimilated

The Metis sent a man named Louis Riel to meet the gov’t surveyors because he spoke English He ordered the surveyors to leave immediately

Although the surveyors left, the Metis knew they would be back The Metis then set up a National Committee so they could govern themselves Next, they took control of Fort Garry, a fur- trading post

They set up a provisional gov’t to temporarily run the area and create a new province of Manitoba They chose Louis Riel to lead it Their first step: they set up their own Bill of Rights – a document which tried to negotiate with the Canadian gov’t and protect the Metis

The Bill of Rights 1.Both French and English would be spoken – and written – in the government 2.The province could create its own laws 3.The Metis would own the land 4.Officials would be elected by the people 5.Treaties would be agreed on for the First Nations

Some English groups tried to stop the Metis They attacked the Metis, but were captured One man, Thomas Scott, threatened Louis Riel. He was executed English Canadians were furious French Canadians in the East supported the Metis, which created violence between the English and French there