1. Settlement in the West

4. The Northwest
Early 19th century, the Northwest was known only to the First Nations people, Metis, and people involved in the fur trade
Rupert’s Land
A large and important section of land that was under the control of the Hudson’s Bay Company
Essentially present-day Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Quebec, Ontario and Nunavut
Hudson’s Bay Company & North West Company
Two major fur trading companies in competition with one another
Red River Settlement
Fertile area where Metis, First Nations, NWC employees lived together

5. Hudson’s Bay Company vs North West Company

6. Major Trading Posts & Routes

7. The Metis
The Metis were a mixture of mostly French and First Nations people
Often members of the NWC
The practice of First Nations women and European traders continued over time to create their own unique culture
The term “Metis” (from the French word for “mixed”)

8. Red River Valley Consisted of some of the most fertile farming land
They lived a mixed life combining trapping, trading farming, and buffalo hunting
Seasonal bison hunt was important to Metis:
It was a cultural celebration
Provided meat and clothing
Source of trade - it was used to to make pemmican which was sold to the NWC

9. Canada & Legal Problems for the Metis
Eventually the HBC took over the NWC to establish a monopoly on the fur trade
This put an end to the conflict with the Metis
HBC sold Rupert’s Land to the Canadian government shortly after Confederation in 1869
Canada needed more land
The HBC never told the Métis about this deal
The Canadian government began to encourage settlers to move west by giving them the land (Red River Valley)
The Métis never made any legal claim to their land
They mostly believed in the First Nations perspective of land claims
This led to conflict

10. Creation of Manitoba
Red River Resistance – fight between the Metis & White settlers & Canadian Government
Ottawa negotiated with the Metis agreed to have Manitoba enter Confederation in 1870
Public lands would not be in control of the province, but rather under federal control
Promised a grant of 200,000 hectares of land to the Métis
Manitoba becomes 5th province