Chapter 9 The Métis Rise Up

Focus Questions What was the importance of Louis Riel? Who’s perspectives on Canada's past should be considered? What were some positive & negative consequences of the political decisions made during this period? Should Louis Riel have an exhibit in the new Human Rights museum?

The Red River Resistance In October of 1869, the people of Red River resisted the plan for the Hudson Bay Company, Britain & Canada to transfer their region to Canada without consulting them. In April of 1869, Canada paid the Hudson's Bay Company and the British government the equivalent of $ 1.5 million dollars for control of Rupert's Land.

The Red River Resistance People living in Rupert's Land were not consulted about the arrangement. The Métis wanted a say in their future, Canada did not want this.

Who Were the People who Lived in Red River? French & English speaking Métis About half of the population was French speaking Métis. French Canadiens HBC employees Scottish & Irish colonists

What Issues Triggered the Red River Resistance? 1869 crops had failed, buffalo were declining, & Canada was making plans for Rupert’s Land as if nobody else lived there July 1869 surveyors were dividing up the land going through farms as if they were not even there. This was done 4 months BEFORE the agreement was even completed

William McDougall October 1869 Louis Riel would not let the surveyors onto his cousin’s farm. William McDougall was appointed lieutenant –governor of the territory. Métis set up a blockade & stopped him The Métis then took control of Ft. Garry December 1869 the Métis declared a provisional government Louis Riel was chosen as their leader

Ideas of Citizenship The people of the Red River area were not included in many major decisions regarding the use of their land. They were not allowed to vote or voice their opinions because they were not considered a province. The Métis were regarded with the same status as First Nations groups, which reduced their power to make decisions.

Riel’s Land Claims

Provisional Government A provisional government is a temporary government established when no other government body exists. In December 1869, the Métis formed a provisional government in Red River. In February 1870, the French and English communities elected 20 representatives each to the provisional government, then elected Louis Riel as president.

Métis Uprisings: Issues for Canada Canada had many issues concerning the Métis uprisings. They had hoped to use the territories in order to provide settlers with more land. Canada’s desire to expand and settle the territories was compromised because of the uprisings, and Red River’s desire to be recognized as a province.

Louis Riel Louis Riel was born at St. Boniface in the Red River Settlement. His Mother was Canadien & his Father was Métis. When Riel was 14 he went to college in Montreal. He was a good student. In 1868, Riel returned to Red River.

Louis Riel Riel had a good physique Was a great worker Was very educated. Was a natural choice for leader of the Métis.

Riel’s Plan In the transfer of Rupert's Land from the HBC to Canada, Riel saw that Red River could be recognized as a province. This would give the people of Red River the same rights as other Canadian provinces, and would give them more protection in the area of land rights.

Thomas Scott In February 1870, when the Métis took over Fort Garry they arrested some British settlers from Ontario. These settlers tried to overthrow the Provisional Government, but were not successful.

Thomas Scott The settlers believed that the Métis did not deserve to have a provisional government, and did not deserve to be given rights to their land. In March 1870 the Métis convicted and executed one of the settlers, Thomas Scott. Riel could have spared his life by pardoning him, but Riel chose not to do so.

The Manitoba Act The Government of Canada and the Provisional government of Red River finally negotiated the Manitoba Act. This brought the settlement of Red River into Confederation as an officially bilingual province: the province of Manitoba.

The Manitoba Act The people of Red River got an elected government protecting the French language and Catholic religion. The Métis wanted recognition of their land rights. First Nations also wanted recognition of their rights to the land. Many Canadians from Ontario wanted freedom to move west and to start farming. Canada’s government,(led by Sir John A MacDonald), wanted to build a railway connecting Canada to British Columbia.

The Manitoba Act The Manitoba Act met some objectives of the groups involved: It brought the settlement of Red River into Confederation as an official, bilingual province. It answered many language/culture goals for groups such as the Métis, French Canadiens, and English speaking citizens.

The Manitoba Act The Manitoba Act did NOT meet some of the objectives of the groups involved. It did not specify particular areas of land for the Métis, and they had to use “scrip” to buy land (often not their own land). No process was suggested for negotiating land rights for First Nations. Manitoba was made small, and it didn’t have control over its public lands like other provinces.

The Manitoba Act The act was a compromise between the Canadian government and the people of Red River.

The Manitoba Act: A Compromise It compromised on religion in schools, which created two separate school systems. It also addressed both the government’s and the people’s needs when it came to issues such as language rights and land ownership. Métis were NOT happy with the way the Manitoba Act dealt with their land rights. Many lost their own land in the deal.

Canada 1870

Second Métis Uprising

Métis at South Branch Many Métis left Red River after the Red River Resistance. Some Métis from Red River moved to South Branch communities (North of Saskatoon).

Métis at South Branch The Métis moved for a few reasons: many were unhappy with the land settlement decisions made by the Manitoba Act. As well, they were having to travel further and further west to find buffalo: a major food source. Many moved west to have a new start and to settle land there. In the west, they farmed, trapped and hunted Buffalo, which was disappearing. Canada now controlled the west, which would lead to more issues in the future.

Métis at South Branch In 1873, Canada established the North West Mounted Police. Surveyors began to arrive, and Métis wanted recognition of their land rights.. Land speculators also arrived, and began to mark out where the BC Railway would go. They ignored the people that were already living there. The Métis, Blackfoot & Cree people sent many petitions, but the government continued to ignore them. The Métis realized that they may need to rise up against Canadian authority again, in order to have their voices heard.

Gabriel Dumont In 1884, Gabriel Dumont went to seek the help of Louis Riel. Riel was living in Montana, where he had become a school teacher and started a family.

Louis Riel Returns Although Riel was living elsewhere, he began to help the Métis.

The Second Métis Uprising Buffalo had almost disappeared Epidemics of smallpox & other diseases killed many The railway was coming through the land Riel suggested that First Nations, Métis & Whites all work together Riel thought that he could make another deal with the Canadian government like he did in Red River

The Second Métis Uprising Métis leaders formed an army to fight the Canadian troops that were rumored to be coming Chiefs Pitikwahanapiwiyin (Poundmaker) & Mistahimaskwa led groups & took over a trading post & a town &, 9 people were killed

How Did Canada Respond? As it turned out the Canadian government was not sending any troops to South Branch. However, when the people of South Branch formed another provisional government, Canada’s government responded by sending troops. 600 soldiers arrived via the newly built railway.

How Did Canada Respond? The Battle of Batoche lasted 3 days & over 100 died. Riel, Pitikwahanapiwiyin & Mistahimaskwa surrendered After these uprisings the Canadian government made natives have a pass before they could leave the reserve.

Louis Riel Riel was tried for treason and executed. Many Canadien and Métis people felt that he had an unfair trial, as no francophone people were present, only English speakers. One member of the jury stated that they tried him for treason, but executed him for the death of Thomas Scott. Today, some view him as a hero, others view him as a criminal.

Manitoba School Act The rights in the Manitoba Act that protected French language & culture didn’t last long. The original Manitoba Act promised separate schools for Catholic & Protestant people both with government funding

Manitoba School Act After the second uprising, some important changes were made regarding language rights in Manitoba. In 1890 the government of Manitoba passed the Manitoba School Act. This act abolished Catholic (separate) Schools & made English the only official language in government. Manitoba was no longer a bilingual province.

Demographic Change in Manitoba When the Manitoba Act was negotiated more than half of the people in this region were Catholic & spoke French. By 1890, however, less than 15% of the population was Catholic & spoke French.

Demographic Change in Manitoba This demographic change in Manitoba happened because the Canadian government got Protestant, English speaking immigrants to settle in the west. At the same time, many French speaking Métis were migrating further west.

Métis Move West Again The defeat of the Métis at the Battle of Batoche in 1885 triggered a new migration west. Métis left South Branch & moved into what is now Alberta. Alberta now has the largest Métis population in Canada.

James Brady James Brady was the grandson of Laurence Garneau who supported Riel during the Red River rebellion & the second Métis uprising. James grew up hearing about the Métis fight for their rights. Brady was born at St. Paul. In 1896 father Albert Lacombe founded this settlement to help Métis become farmers. In 1910 the settlement was closed because the government said it was not working. Brady & his family left St. Paul but Brady lobbied the Alberta government & now Alberta is the only province where Métis have claim to the land.