1. The Red River Resistance- 1870
SS 10
Ch 4.4
Horizons text
Pages

2. Lots of changes in the 1860’s…
Many people immigrated to the Northwest
Canada became a dominion (a country that rules itself)
The HBC’s fur trade started to decline
Many Canadians moved West to find available farm land

3. The Orange Order
Many of the new Canadian settlers were Protestants and members of the Orange Order:
A violently anti- French, anti- Catholic movement
They were prejudiced against the Metis (surprise!) because they were French, Catholic, and of mixed heritage…

4. The Orange Order
Dr. John
Schultz
Although they were small in number, the presence of the Protestants increased tensions in the Red River a lot.
One of the first immigrants and Orange Order members was Dr. John Schultz, he opened a general store, took over the newspaper “The NorWester”
By the end of the 1860’s he had organized a small group called the Canadian Party which hoped to gain control of the settlement.

5. Economic problems… Crop failures Decrease in bison
Anger in the Red River between these groups continued to increase.
Economic problems in the Red River contributed to rising tensions…
Crop failures
Decrease in bison
Less investment by the HBC

6. Land ownership issues…
Added to this was the fact that:
The Metis never made legal claim to their territory although they had farmed it for years
According to HBC policy, all HBC employees were entitled to their farmland if they lived on it for 3 years
PROBLEM: The Metis believed that if a person cleared the land and farmed it, they had the right to it.
Stop here for the day!

7. Surveyors: Problems at the Red River
Land owned by the Hudson’s Bay Company was sold to Dominion of Canada in 1869.
Surveyors re-aligned all land at Red River into townships.
Arrival of surveyor angered many Métis and Aboriginals:
never asked about joining Canada
Feared loss of language, religion and way of life
feared loss of buffalo herds
Rebellion led by Louis Riel  took over Fort Garry (near Winnipeg)

8. Canada Purchases Rupert’s Land
John A Macdonald and D’Arcy McGee wanted to create a country stretching from sea to sea
The HBC wanted to sell Rupert’s Land because the fur trade was declining and they were finding it difficult to maintain control over such a large territory. It was becoming too expensive to run

9. The negotiations begin…
The HBC and the Canadian government began negotiations to transfer control of Rupert’s Land
No one bothered to consult the people who lived in the Red River Settlement
They reached an agreement in November Rupert’s Land joined the North-Western Territory and the entire area was renamed “The North- West Territories” (see pg 157)

10. The New Canada After this deal, Canada doubled in size.
The HBC received $1.5 million from the government, and million hectares of prairie farmland
Before the deal was finalized, land surveyors arrived in the Red River settlement and started laying out grids for the townships…

11. Métis seigneurial land pattern Township settlement pattern
Rebellion
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12. Problems brewing… THAT SAME YEAR, LOUIS RIEL RETURNED
The land surveyors assumed that the people who lived on the land did NOT own it and had no right to claim it…
THAT SAME YEAR,
LOUIS RIEL RETURNED
TO THE RED RIVER…

13. Louis Riel
Born October 22, 1844, he was the son of Louis Riel Sr. who was the Metis leader for many years.
Died: November 16, 1884

14. Louis Riel
He fought for the Metis as their leader. The founder of Manitoba
He was a literate, well- educated lawyer
He was fluent in both English and French
He was an excellent speaker
He was only 24 years old when he returned to the Red River
Some would also say he was a little nuts

15. The Red River Rebellion
In 1869, the tensions in the red River were very high
Settlers were angry at the HBC and at the land surveyors
Riel formed the Metis National Committee to fight for Metis rights

16. Tensions rise…
That summer, the Metis confronted the surveyors and told them to go back to Ottawa because they intended to govern themselves
Then, several Metis (under Riel’s command) seized Fort Garry and stole the munitions
THE RED RIVER REBELLION HAD BEGUN!

17. Goal of the Rebellion
Riel and supporters simply wanted to ensure that the people of Red River would retain their rights and traditions when it came under Canadian government rule.
They did not want to rebel against Canada…

18. The Provisional Government
Riel set up a Provisional gov’t
They wanted the Red River Settlement to join Canada as it’s own province- Manitoba
Riel’s Provisional Government

19. The Provisional Government
Why did Riel want a new province?
- He feared that if McDougall took charge of the area, the Metis would be ignored and would lose their rights

20. Metis List of Rights (see page 159) What do you think of these rights?
Are they fair?

21. Métis List of Rights
This is the formal List of Rights drawn up by the Provisional Governing Council of the Métis Nation, as the formal conditions for the entry of Rupert's Land as a province into the Dominion of Canada on December 1, 1869.
That the people have the right to elect their own legislature.
That the legislature have the power to pass all laws local to the Territory over the veto of the Executive by a two-thirds vote.
That no act of the Dominion Parliament (local to the Territory) be binding on the people until sanctioned by the Legislature of the Territory.
That all Sheriffs, Magistrates, Constables, School Commissioners, etc., be elected by the people.
A free Homestead and Preemption Land law.
That a portion of the public lands be appropriated to the benefit of schools, the building of bridges, roads and public buildings.
That it be guaranteed to connect Winnipeg by rail with the nearest line of railroad, within a term of five years; the land grant to be subject to the Local Legislature.
That for the term of four years all military, civil and municipal expenses be paid out of the Dominion funds.
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22. This meeting took place in Fort Garry on Wednesday, December 1, 1869.
Métis List of Rights
This is the formal List of Rights drawn up by the Provisional Governing Council of the Métis Nation, as the formal conditions for the entry of Rupert's Land as a province into the Dominion of Canada on December 1, 1869.
That the Military be composed of the inhabitants now existing in the Territory.
That the English and French languages be common in the legislature and courts and that all public documents and acts of the legislature be published in both languages.
That the Judge of the Supreme Court speak the English and French languages.
That treaties be concluded and ratified between the Dominion Government and the several tribes of Indians in the Territory to ensure peace on the frontier.
That we have a fair and full representation in the Canadian Parliament.
That all privileges, customs and usage existing at the time of the transfer be respected.
This meeting took place in Fort Garry on Wednesday, December 1, 1869.
Canadian Government AGREES!
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23. Civil War?
Riel feared that a civil war would begin because the Canadian Party was armed and ready to attack the Metis
To stop this from happening…
Riel led a party of armed Metis to Schulz’s home (headquarters of Canadian Party)
They took 48 of Schulz’s followers to Fort Garry

24. Riel and Macdonald
After this, Riel declared that he was ready to negotiate with the Canadian government
Macdonald refused to recognize Riel and would not negotiate with him
THE METIS DID NOT GIVE UP!

25. Escape from Fort Garry Thomas Scott
Schultz escaped Fort Garry and plotted to free the other prisoners
However, the Metis arrested them again shortly after they escaped
One of the prisoners was a member of the Canadian Party named:
Thomas Scott

26. Thomas Scott
Scott was a particularly out spoken and belligerent member of the Canadian Party
He was strongly anti- Metis and was verbally and physically abusive to the guards in jail
He also threatened Louis Riel’s life

27. Thomas Scott
In response to his behaviour, Riel and his provisional government decided to execute him in March
Although all six members of the firing squad took aim together, they did not kill Scott immediately
The squad director had to shoot him again to kill him

28. Didn’t die right away, so takes a bullet to the head
All I said was that the Métis were a pack of cowards, Riel an idiot, and the Roman Catholic church a place for fools
Didn’t die right away, so takes a bullet to the head
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29. OUTRAGE!
Schultz and the Orange Order made Thomas Scott into a Protestant martyr who had been cruelly murdered by the Metis
Cries for justice and retaliation soon reached the government officials in Ottawa

30. Reaction to the Rebellion
Ontario
Quebec
Believed Scott killed because he was protestant and Canadian
People angry because Ontario papers called Riel traitor
Newspapers demanded execution of Riel
Argued protestants vengeful because Métis are Catholics
$5 000 reward for capture
Claimed government sanctioned revenge
Anti-Métis hatred swept Ontario – Hang him!
Supported Riel called him a hero – Loved him!
Macdonald sent troops to keep peace, but Riel had fled
Only write this down
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31. A Compromise…
In April, Macdonald finally offered a compromise to the Metis:
He did not allow provincial control of public lands
BUT
He did give the Metis hectares of land to recognize their aboriginal title
Aftermath of the Rebellion
Provisional Government worked out deal called Manitoba Act.
July 15, 1870 Manitoba entered Confederation (5th province).
Confederation provided protection for French language, culture, religion.
Received about ha of land for Métis use.

32. Manitoba becomes a province…
On May 2nd,
legislation
confirmed that
Manitoba would
be included into Canada

33. Riel flees into exile
When government troops arrived in the Red River in August,
RIEL WAS GONE…
He (wisely) had fled to the USA…
All of the member of the provisional government were granted Amnesty- except Riel-
HE WAS BANISHED FROM CANADA FOR 5 YEARS

34. Riel in Exile
Riel would spend the next 15 years in exile in the United States…
HOWEVER,
He would later return to
take up a new cause…

35. The Metis Flee West Riel Flees to the United States
Macdonald sent 1200 troops under the command of Colonel Wolsely.
Military presence also signal to U.S. that Canada claimed West.
Riel feared being arrested for murder of Thomas Scott  exiled to U.S. for 5 years, but ends up staying for 15 years.
Many Métis moved farther West as more settlers arrived at Red River.