LOUIS RIEL AND THE RED RIVER

REBELLION

Manitoba joined confederation in 1870

Not a smooth entry – fighting between the Metis and the Canadian Surveyors and Soldiers

WHO WERE THE METIS?

Metis were the Native people of Manitoba who were descendants of the French fur traders and the Native people of the colony

WHAT WAS THE METIS WAY OF LIFE?

They mainly lived by hunting buffalo and farming

Traded furs and pemmican for manufactured goods

This area was owned by the Hudson Bay company and was known as Rupert’s Land

Hudson’s Bay Company sold Rupert’s Land to the Canadian Government

Transfer of ownership to take place 1869

METIS RESISTANCE

Metis were concerned about losing valuable land to settlers and lose their way of life

Resistance to expansion to the West

RESISTANCE

Led by Louis Riel, the Metis in Manitoba prevented William MacDougall from entering the Red River Colony

Seized Upper Fort Garry

Proclaimed a Provisional Government

Metis Bill of Rights

RESISTANCE CONTINUED

Thomas Scott – part of a group that refused to support the Riel provisional government and made plans to overthrow it

1870 – members of this group were arrested for trying to take over Fort Garry

One of these men was Thomas Scott

Scott made his anti-French, anti-Catholic views insultingly clear to his captors

Provisional government tried Scott and found him guilty of treason

Thomas Scott shot by a firing squad

Turning point in Riel’s role as leader – divided opinion that has lasted until this day – hero/traitor divide

At the same time, John A. MacDonald sent troops to the area to ensure the land transfer

Riel fled and Metis Rebellion collapsed

THE NORTHWEST RESISTANCE

Riel lived in Montana, for many years, but returned to Manitoba in 1884 to help resist the expansion of the Canadian Pacific Railway

Riel surrendered to government troops on May 15, 1885, he was found guilty of high treason, and he was hanged – created division between French and English in Canada