1. Louis Riel Presentation
Part 2

2. The Northwest Rebellion (Or Was it a Resistance?)
The Return of Riel

3. After the Red River Resistance
The Metis land grants in Red River were delayed if ever given out
Metis residents in Red River were unwelcome among the new Protestant immigrants
As a result any Metis people decided to leave Manitoba
More than 4000 left Manitoba between 1870 and 1885

4. Dispersion of the Metis
The largest groups settled along the North and South Saskatchewan Rivers at St. Laurent, Batoche, Duck Lake, and Prince Albert
By 1883, there were 1300 Metis living on a 50 km stretch along the South Saskatchewan River between Batoche and St. Laurent
By 1885, the village of Batoche numbered about 500 people

7. Challenges of the North West
Things were not much better for the Metis in the North- West Territories
Steamboats were cutting traditional Metis jobs carrying freight
The bison were close to extinction causing hunger and hard times for the Metis and for First Nations on the prairies
More Metis people turned to farming
Land surveyors sent by the federal government arrived in these new Metis communities and began staking grid lots, ignoring the Metis river lot system already in place
The Canadian government had begun building the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), which would run across the entire country
The original plans had the railway running from Winnipeg along the North Saskatchewan River Valley through several Metis communities
Land speculators began acquiring land, and lobbied the government for ownership of lands already settled by Metis people
As early as 1873, the Metis began sending petitions to the Canadian government to ask that their land titles along the South Saskatchewan River be secured
No one wanted to be forced to move again
However, their petitions went unanswered

12. Was History Repeating Itself?
Some people (Big Bear) did not want to live on a reserve, initially did not sign treaty, but signed later on because his people were starving because the bison had disappeared.
Food was supposed to be distributed by treaties.
Corruption in food distribution. Either it was sold, or the food was left to rot.
Suffering from cultural shock. 3 – 10 thousand died during this time period.
Causing young warier men to be upset.
1884 – thousands of Cree gathered for Powwow, young men need armed resistance, Chiefs Pundmaker and Starblanket try to calm them down but not working, recipe for problems.
*** White settlers were upset because the railway moved south.

13. Was History Repeating Itself?
Emotions ran high in the community as the Metis people feared their claims would be ignored by the government
The Metis petitions to the feds continued through the late 1870s increasing in urgency as non-Aboriginal immigrants began arriving and staking claims to land
Some Metis people again decided to leave, moving farther west
Others asked when they could finally stop moving and decided that they needed help
By 1884 the North-West was ripe for rebellion
“Only one man can help us now”

14. Consider the Following:
If you were a Metis farmer living along the Saskatchewan River in 1884, who would you turn to for leadership?

15. The Return of Riel
Metis upset, gave up on the government. Their only hope was to ask Riel to come back. He was in the states and became a teacher in Montanna, developed a mental illness.
In June 1884, a delegation of Metis people travelled to Montana to seek out Louis Riel
Gabriel Dumont, legendary hunter and master sharpshooter led the effort
The Metis delegation asked Riel to lead them in their struggle for fair treatment by the federal government, much as he had done in Manitoba 15 years prior.
Riel agreed to help
Riel was convinced he had a special mission to defend the Metis and start his own church, as he felt that the Catholic Church had become corrupt. Talked about making the west in Canada for anyone who needed spiritual help.

18. Riel After Red River
Riel was not the same person as he had been in 1870
He had suffered a series of emotional breakdowns and had spent several years in asylums
He was convinced that he was a prophet of God
Despite his declining mental health, he knew better than anyone the blueprint for success

20. Riel and Macdonald
Once in the Northwest Riel met with various groups in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities in the region to gain a consensus on priorities
Knew Metis demands would have greater chance if there was a consensus of priorities from the people living there.
Ottawa leaders nervous about Riel’s return. Riel wanted peaceful resolution, Ottawa unsure.
Riel then sent Macdonald a petition on behalf of the residents of the region asking for:
provincial status
an elected government
control of natural resources
Macdonald delayed in responding. Once he acknowledged the petition, only agreed to set up a commission to look into the problems.
Riel and the Metis grew impatient…

23. It Begins
On March 5th, 1885 Riel and a group of prominent Metis sign the Revolutionary Bill of Rights, to "save our country from a wicked government by taking up arms if necessary“
On March 18, 1885, a group of Metis occupied a church at Batoche and cut the telegraph lines between Regina (the capital of the North-West Territories) and Prince Albert
Metis leaders declared a provisional government on March 19 with Dumont as its military leader
The Metis community armed itself in support of the provisional government
However, there was already a provincial government in Saskatchewan.
On March 19, 1885 the North-West Rebellion had begun

26. Read through the Metis Bill of Rights (1885)
Read through the Metis Bill of Rights (1885). What differences do you notice between this document and the 1870 document?

27. Consider the Following:
2. What differences do you see thus far between he Red River Resistance, and the Northwest Resistance? 3. Why would Riel not have an official position in the provisional government?

28. First Nations on the Prairies
English community members along Saskatchewan Rivers supported Riel, refused to take up arms.
Some First Nations leaders, most notably Poundmaker and Big Bear, were sympathetic to the Metis cause
First Nations people were also going through hard times
A smallpox epidemic
The decline of the bison herds
Being confined to reserves
Intentional food shortages and periods of starvation by the federal government
“Starve them on day, feed them the next”
First Nations were starving, and needed help
Hoped Metis confrontation with government would draw attention to own communities concerns, such as broken treaty promises.
However, the 2 First Nations leaders stopped short of a formal military alliance with the Metis

29. Poundermaker Big Bear

30. Irony The reaction to the rebellion was quick
In 1870, it had taken the army 4 hard months to get to Manitoba
By 1885, the CPR had reached the plains
Within 10 days the first troops had arrived, and within the month more than 5000 soldiers were in place under the command of General Frederick Middleton
Before the rebellion the railway had been next to bankruptcy
However, with the outbreak of the rebellion parliament allocated additional funds to the CPR to move troops westward and quell the threat
It can be argued that Riel’s Resistances saved MacDonald’s dream of the CPR connecting Canada from coast to coast
And with the railway came more Protestant Settlers

33. Battle at Duck Lake
On March 21, 1885 the provisional government demanded the commander of Fort Carlton, Superintendent Crozier to surrender
Metis gathered guns, stored a ton at Duck Lake.
Four days later, a group of Metis took over several stores in Duck Lake in search of food and other provisions
On March 26, a group of North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) and volunteers under the command of Superintendent Crozier left Fort Carleton to re-establish federal government control at Duck Lake.

34. Battle at Duck Lake Met by a group of Metis led by Dumont at Duck Lake
Ambush with white settlers,
Fighting broke out
Resulting in the deaths of 12 RCMP officers and 5 Metis.
Riel observed and called off the fight. He spent his time during the ambush praying and as he prayed the Metis were winning. The Metis allowed the RCMP to leave / the police were forced to retreat
Ambush at Duck Lake gets attention from the Federal Government in Ottawa. MacDonald is not going to accommodate. Troops under the command from General Middleton were to shut down the rebellion.
Riel assumed it would take the troops too long to get to the Metis, but the troops arrived.

35. What is the Worst that Could Happen?
Worst case scenario would be an Aboriginal uprising (potential of a army of First Nations peoples).
The government decided to only release food to the “Good Indians” who would not rebel against the government.
Too late…

36. Frog Lake
Before Crozier’s defeat at Duck Lake reached Ottawa, government sent Major General Middleton to Winnipeg, and Winnipeg militia units ordered to prepare for mobilization.
March 30, 1885 – 600 troops dispatched from Toronto.
Unlike the Red River Resistance, where the Red River Expeditionary Force had taken four months to reach Manitoba, it took only 6 days to arrive at Qu’Appelle on April 6 from Toronto.

37. Frog Lake
This was due to the Canadian Pacific Railway partial completion.
Group of soldiers and militia under General Middleton marched towards Batoche. Other troops kept travelling, reaching Swift Current then heading north with orders to protect the settlers at Battleford.

38. Conflict Escalates: Frog Lake Massacre
Some FN’s hoped to help communities while Canadian troops were busy with Metis forces.
Some natives fought alongside Metis soldiers, however, most First Nations actions in the conflict were independent
Many First Nations had been asking, without success, for increased rations for their people
Facing starvation, at the end of March a group from the Poundmaker and Little Pine reserves raided stores at Battleford and raided nearby farms for food, supplies, and livestock
White farmers moved to Battleford in old HBC fort to hide.

39. Conflict Escalates: Frog Lake Massacre/Siege at Battleford
Indian agent who was anti First Nations refused to release food from the store houses to the reserve.
On April 2, a group led by Wandering Spirit (a Cree War Chief from Big Bear’s First Nation) raided HBC stores at Frog Lake in search of food, arms, and ammunition
Allow white farmers out to get water, and did not attack them.
Big Bear was against the use of violence, but with his people were suffering he bent to Wandering Spirit
8 settlers and a Canadian government official were killed

40. Frog Lake Massacre / Siege of Battleford
The government tells Middleton to send out and divide 8000 troops into three sections.
Batoche
Battleford
Frog Lake
Will all meet in Batoche
Reminded Crowfoot not to revolt.
A series of little battles in each of the locations took place.

41. The First Skirmishes – Fish Creek
On April 24, Middleton and his men encountered Metis forces led by Gabriel Dumont at Fish Creek
Although vastly outnumbered, the Metis sharpshooters were well positioned, held Middleton forces off. With limited ammunition forced Middleton’s troops to retreat
The Metis then withdrew to Batoche to prepare for Middleton's next advance
On May 2, a force of army, militia, and police under command of William Otter left Battleford to ambush a group of Cree and Assiniboine people camped nearby at Cut Knife Hill
The troops were anxious to punish Poundmaker and his people for the looting at Battleford
However, the First Nations, under the leadership of Ininew war chief Fine Day and Metis leader Norbert Delorme, were able to fend off the troops, forcing them to retreat

42. *The federal government viewed involvement of FN in the conflict as a significant and alarming development. Why do you think government had this response?

44. Ottawa Mobilizes
Even before news of Crozier's defeat at Duck Lake reached Ottawa the Winnipeg militia units were ordered to prepare for mobilization
On March 30, 1885, 600 troops were dispatched from Toronto
Unlike the 1870 Resistance, Ottawa had the CPR
Though the railway was not totally complete the troops reached Qu'Appelle in 6 days (It took 4months in 1870)
A group of soldiers and militia under General Middleton then marched toward Batoche
Other troops kept travelling, reaching Swift Current and then heading north with orders to protect the settlers at Battleford

45. The Battle of Batoche
On May 9, 1885, Middleton's force of about 850 laid siege to about 300 Metis and First Nations fighters at Batoche
Metis had once again prepared for defensive battle and dug rifle pits where their men could shoot in relative safety.
Metis held Middleton forces off. When the troops popped their heads over the edge, Metis would peg them off.
Although Metis forces were far better trained and positioned than the Canadian militia, the Canadian forces were better supplied with arms and ammunition
The Canadians even had a couple Gatling guns, an early form of machine gun
Metis shotguns and rifles could not hold out long against Canadian firepower and a lengthy siege

46. The Battle at Batoche
After 3 days, the Metis and First Nations had run out of ammunition. Troops charged, killing 15 Metis
Were forced to surrender
Riel wanted to face trial, surrendered to government troops on May 15, 1885, hoped he could tell what he did and why he did it.
Dumont did not believe he would be given a fair trial if he surrendered, escaped to US along with several other Metis leaders.
Dumont joined “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show
Poundmaker surrendered May 15, 1885 and Big Bear turned himself in to the NWMP at Fort Carlton on July 2.
Rebellion officially over.

51. Aftermath of the Resistance
Fearing for lives, women and children at camp at Batoche fled and hid for several cays in the hills southeast of Batoche.
When women returned to community, found their homes and farms looted and burned.
Loss of their husbands, fathers, homes, livestock, food supplies, and transportation caused many hardships for years to come.
Days and months post conflict, Leaders either arrested or disgraced
government tried 71 Metis and FN people for treason-felony, 12 for murder, and one, Riel, for high treason.

52. Aftermath of the Resistance
Poundermaker also surrendered. Big Bear held out for another month and a half before he too surrendered
Both Chief Big Bear and Poundmaker sentenced to three year prison terms in Stony Mountain prison, even though neither man supported the use of violence. Both had intervened to prevent more bloodshed.
Due to ill health, neither leader served his full term.
Each died of heartbreak within months of release form prison.
44 First Nations Charged
November 27, 1885, 8 FN fighters, including Wandering Spirit, were hanged in Battleford for their actions in the resistance.

53. Implementation of Pass Laws
Indigenous were not respecting the treaty
Pass laws formed
Needed a pass from an Indian Agent to get off the reserve.
Put in place to prevent large gatherings from taking place, reduce chance of uprising.
Banned many religious practices, such as the Sundance (starved and danced with the spirits).
Banned Potlatch ceremonies on the West Coast (the more you gave away, the more prestige you got)
Greatly expanded the Residential School System (particularly in the west). Separate children from their families to fast track assimilation and save money.

54. in the back row, from left to right, Constable Black, Louis Cochin, Inspector R.B. Deane, Alexis Andre, and Beverly Robertson, and in the front row, Horse Child, Chief Big Bear, Alexander Stewart, and Chief Poundmaker.

55. Big Bear and Poundmaker at Stony Mountain Penitentiary, 1885

57. The Trial
On July 6, 1885, in Regina, Riel was charged with high treason (automatic death sentence) as a lesson/anger and hatred for his execution of Thomas Scott.
Hoped to use trial to explain his motifs. Quebec wanted the trial in Winnipeg (more French and Metis) as opposed to Regina who had all English.
Riel's lawyers argued for the trial to be moved to Manitoba with a 12 person jury (6 English-speaking members and 6 French-speaking members)
They felt this would ensure a fairer trial, believed more jurors could be found who would sympathize with Riel’s cause.
Further argued since Riel no longer British subject, instead an American citizen, should not be tried under Canadian law and should be deported to the US.
Their requests were not upheld

58. The Trial
The judge in the case, Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Richardson, set the trial in Regina and chose the 6 person jury to hand down Riel's verdict, all of whom were English-speaking, white, and Protestant
Riel's lawyers wanted him to plead not guilty by reason of insanity, as Riel had spent time in institutions for mentally ill, begun to see himself as a kind of prophet.
Many people believed he was insane and not fully responsible for his actions.
However, Riel refused to plead insanity because he believed such a plea might undermine the legitimacy of the Metis Resistance

59. The Trial of Louis Riel
****What problems stood in the way of Riel receiving a fair trial?

60. The Verdict
Jury found Riel guilty of high treason, carried an automatic death penalty. Jury recommended the judge show mercy.
The Prime Minister is the only one who could reverse a death sentence.
Macdonald had a big decision to make…

61. vs

62. Decisions, Decisions…
PM Macdonald’s government under enormous pressure to stop Riel’s execution.
To many Catholics, Riel’s ideas about himself as a prophet were sacrilegious and so radical that they believed he was clearly insane. Others, including Riel himself, argued the Canadian government should not execute an American citizen. Pleas for leniency came from US, Quebec, France, and French Canadians.
Ontario people believed Riel had never been adequately punished for his role in events at Red River and for the execution of Thomas Scott.
As politician, Macdonald torn between angering his supporters in Quebec or in Ontario.

66. What did Macdonald Decide?
In end, Macdonald believed the law should take its course, did not stop Riel’s sentence.
Goes ahead with the the execution Magistarate Richardson handed down the death sentence August 1, Appeal postponed execution to October 16, and second moved it to November 16. all appeals denied, Riel hanged in Regina Nov. 16.

68. Old Macdonald Lost Support... Ei Ei O
French Canadians shocked at guilty verdict. Uproar in Quebec, said he should have been shown mercy.
Execution resulted in loss of Metis leader who had served his people in several crucial episodes in their history.
Consequences ranged far beyond Metis community.
Quebec, public opinion turned furiously against Macdonald and Conservative Party.
Hanging of Riel widened divisions between French and English Canadians.

69. Old Macdonald Lost Support... Ei Ei O
Ontario newspapers published anti-French editorials, newspapers in QC lashed out against English speaking Canada. Many French Canadians firmly believed Riel had been executed because he was French and Catholic. French Canadians began to feel like outsiders in Confederation.
Many began supporting provincial political parties dedicated to securing Quebec’s autonomy from Canada.
November 23, 1885, protest meeting attended by thousands of people held in Montreal. One of most stirring speeches came from Wilfred Laurier, who would go on to lead federal Liberal Party and win federal election in a landslide in 1896.

70. French/English Relations
Severely damaged relations between the French and the English. “Would he have been executed if his name was Scott?”
Slow decline of the Conservative Party in Quebec.

73. Louis Riel had 3 coffins
a wooden one he was placed in immediately after he was hanged
Glass top and steel one for transporting
Regular coffin for his burial
The hood he wore when he was hanged can be found at the St. Boniface Museum here in Winnipeg
Riel House
After his execution, Riel’s remains were placed in a simple pine coffin. After being transported from Regina to St. Vital, his boy transferred to a metal casket meant to protect the body.
A glass window allowed mourners to see Riel’s face.
Body finally placed in a more elaborate redwood coffin for burial.
The Riel family in a closet in the family home kept the first coffin with various papers and photographs inside of it.

74. Metis Life After 1885 After NWR life was difficult
Hopes for own land and freedoms to decide their future crushed under Canadian Army. With exile of Dumont and execution of Louis Riel, leaders of Metis resistance were gone.
Relationship between Metis people and federal government poisoned by events of 1870 and FN also suffered in relations with Canadian government, which viewed them with mistrust and suspicion.
Metis had no communal land base, unlike the FN treaties. Scrip distributed again after 1885, but scrip program did not result in significant benefit for Metis people. Most ready to adapt to changing economy and adopt farming. Prevented from doing so by Canadian government policies and often corrupt system of land distribution.
*** What was Macdonald’s underlying goal with Metis people after 1870? What evidence do you have that this underlying goal was successful?

75. The Road Allowance People
Many Metis did not receive their scrip. Among those who did, many did not have money to invest in farming equipment needed to make use of their land and as a result had to sell their scrip.
Metis offered only between $70 and $130 for their scrip, though it was often worth double this price.
Some Metis people had no choice but to live on public land, including road allowances owned by federal government.
Road allowances form borders between surveyed sections of land and may be used as public pathways.
Small shanty communities built of discarded lumber or logs sprang up.
Some places called Metis “Road Allowance People”.

76. Consider the Following:
Why could the Canadian Federal Government and the Metis not find a peaceful resolution?
What was the Macdonald’s national vision and how did the CPR fit in?
Was the Riel verdict inevitable?
What do you think was the larger consequence of Riel’s hanging on the new Dominion of Canada?
What is Riel’s legacy? Hero, traitor, villain, madman, other? Explain

77. Dianna Thorneycroft A People’s History (Louis Riel) 2010

82. Fast forward 143 years
In March of 2013, following 32 years of lengthy court deliberations, the Supreme Court found that Section 31 of the Manitoba Act was never properly implemented. The provision of a land grant of 1.4 million acres, inside of which the entire city of Winnipeg sits, was to be set aside for the children of the Metis (in other words, for Metis families
The current federal government has yet to resolve this and compensation has yet to be paid

83. Should Riel be Exonerated?