1. Métis and FN in the Northwest, Riel Returns, Métis Bill of Rights
Northwest rebellion

2. Métis in the Northwest territories
1884 losing patience with Canadian Government
Unclear status under the Indian Act
Not part of the treaty process
Increasing immigration of settlers
Feared loss of rights

3. Métis wanted land title
The Métis in the Territory did not “receive” land as in Manitoba
The Métis who had land had not received title for that land

4. First Nations Starving
FN signed treaties gave up their land and moved to reserves.
government broke promises about providing food after the buffalo were all but killed off.
Government refused to feed “difficult people”

5.     “They made us many promises, more than I can remember, but they kept only one; they promised to take our land, and they did.”
Chief Red Cloud

6. First Nations in need of help
First Nations came to the Métis and settlers for help and aid
The Métis and settlers angry
felt they had to pay for the government’s broken promises.

7. Both FN and Métis hurting from the loss of the bison
in need of farming assistance that never shows

8. Métis Petitions
Sent to the government to try to make sure Métis rights are recognized

9. Canadian Government Agenda
Surveys told the government that 6. 4 million hectares of land
= 71 million dollars in government revenue
NO Métis petition was going to stand in the way

10. Here we go, the start of the Northwest rebellion
Métis take action!

11. Where is riel? After Red River/ Thomas Scott
Sent into exile 5 years, lasted 15
Turned to religion
Convinced he is a profit
Time in a asylum
Settled in Montana
Married, 2 kids, teacher (like me!)

12. Return of the king! 1884 Métis needed a strong and iconic leader
Gabriel Dumont asked Riel to return as the Métis Leader
Return of the king!

13. Métis Bill of rights Addressed Métis grievances
Written by Riel and William Henry Jackson (local farmer representative)
Included concerns of Métis and non-Métis people (FN, European farmers) living in the Northwest Territories
Sent to Ottawa Dec 1884 and acknowledged by gov., but rights ignored!

14. Did the government want a rebellion?
Rebellion would prove:
the Métis were violent and unruly

15. Crushing the Rebellion would:
Prove the value of and need for the CPR
Free up Métis land for settlement
Ensure Métis did not gain land rights
Did Clarke promote a rebellion?

17. Just like Red River, Riel asked the government for negotiations to protect rights for those living in the prairies…
Métis BILL of Rights 1884
the government ignored and rejected Métis claims

18. Government prepares for rebellion
The government passed a law making it illegal to sell bullets to the Métis living in the Northwest Territories.

19. AGAIN Riel sends another Petition
Riel knew the government was in possession of the Métis Bill of Rights
This petition demanded responsible government for the Northwest Territories

20. Government prepares for the rebellion
HBC Chief Factor and Magistrate Lawrence Clarke became the government’s informant
Wants the Métis gone
Made a ton of cash in land speculation
Feared lose everything if Métis granted land rights
Government prepares for the rebellion

21. Riel and Clarke- the final straw!
Riel picked Clarke as their representative
Political connections
Riel assumed sympathetic
Clarke went to Ottawa
The only answer the Métis will receive for their petition was bullets
500 NWMP to arrest Riel

22. Justice Commands us! March 19 Riel at Batoche
Peaceful solution impossible
Canadian government determined to make war
“justice commands us to take up arms”

23. Battle of Duck Lake May
Métis moved on Fort Carlton to seize supplies
NWMP Superintendent Lief Crozier confronted Métis army at Duck Lake
Negotiations failed- 2 Métis shot!
Both sides open fire

24. Métis Victory at Duck Lake
the Métis were better marksmen, and, they knew the land better…they were victorious at Duck Lake.
12 NWMP dead, 25 wounded
Fort Carlton evacuated

25. Empire STRIKES BACK! Canadian government mobilized 5000 troops
Troops arrive in just 5 days! Entire force in 10 days!- Thanks CPR
General Middleton in charge

26. Battle of fish creek
Dumont knew to ambush Canadian troops before they reached Batoche
Ambushed at Fish Creek
300 Métis stopped 1600 militia soldiers

28. Canadian Army has Gatling Gun

29. Riel’s mental state?
Said God himself was talking to him and telling him he was “the chosen leader of the Métis people”.
During battles, he would find a hill and climb to the top, hold a crucifix over his head to bless the Métis soldiers.

30. Battle of batoche May 9
Métis stronghold- Batoche attacked by Canadian troops
Had canons and Gatling Gun (modern day machine gun)
Métis short on bullets and used rocks

31. Battle of Batoche Métis defeated- surrender or flee Death toll
Dumont fled to the US
Riel surrendered May 15- thought trial could bring his cause to attention
Death toll
53 Canadian soldiers and volunteers
35 Métis and First Nations

32. Chief Poundmaker Refused to join the NW Rebellion
Believed resistance was futile
His people attacked by Canadian troops at Cut Knife Hill
Arrested for treason, sentenced to 3 years

33. Chief Big Bear Refused to join the NW Rebellion
1885 his people refused supplies at Frog Lake
Wandering Spirit took 9 hostages- killed
Big Bear convicted of treason- 3 years
Wandering Spirit executed

34. Chief Crowfoot Refused to join NW Rebellion Railway dispute
Railway building on his reserve
Peaceful negotiations
Got compensated with extra land
Willaim Van Horne awarded him CPR lifetime pass

35. Trial of Riel July 28 1885 Taken to Regina and charged with treason
Lawyers wanted Insane defense
Riel wanted to argue Métis forced to fight
Not allowed to testify or question witnesses
6 man jury

37. Found Guilty of treason August 1
Found guilty after 1 hour- jury recommended mercy
Law required death penalty
Quebec petitions demanded mercy
Hanged November

38. Métis and First Nations
No land titles, forced to squat on public land reserved for roads
Half-breed became an insult
Moved into cities to hide ancestry
81 charged with murder or treason- 44 convicted
No translation in court
8 hanged for murder in Battleford November 17
At the mercy of the government
Métis and First Nations

39. Hero or villain?