The Northwest Rebellion Close but no cigar Northwest

The Northwest Rebellion Close, but no cigar

Northwest Uprising • By 1884 the Metis were losing patience with the Canadian Government ▫ Hadn’t been involved in treaties ▫ Indian Act unclear about Metis status ▫ Railway bringing even more settlers • They had to act, so they wrote petitions demanding their rights be recognized and protected

The Petitions • Wanted legal title to their land, and if surveyed to honor the long lot system • Surveyors who came flip flopped on that idea ▫ Some consulted and kept long lots, others ignored and surveyed using scrip system • Asked government to give them the modern tools to farm ▫ Loss of bison was affecting their lives

Government Opinion • Essentially they wanted to sell the land, even if people already lived there • 71 million dollars to be made • Listening to petitions about Metis land rights was not on their to do list • Also indigenous people were starving and the government didn’t consider it important

Return of the Riel • Spring of 1884 Metis needed their leader back ▫ Since the Red River Rebellion he had been in hiding ▫ In exile he had turned to religion, believing himself chosen by god to lead the Metis ▫ Thrown in an asylum for it • Gabriel Dumont and other Metis went to Montana to bring him back to Manitoba

Metis Bill of Rights • Addressed issues over land rights, and other frustrations the Metis had with the government ▫ Ottawa officially received the letter, which was seen as a victory as no other petition had been accepted by the government

Storms A Brewin’ • Riel’s return renewed many tensions that had remained dormant since his exile ▫ What kind of tensions were there? • Macdonald was constantly having problems with his government, especially railroad related ▫ Saw a solution through letting Riel “make trouble” ▫ Could send troops via the CPR, showing government could react quickly to problems ▫ Also promotes the railway, and the public need for it, so spending tax money wouldn’t be bad

One Last Petition • The Metis, sensing delays from the government, sent one last petition along with an envoy ▫ They figured the Government wanted a responsible government set up in Manitoba • Envoy returned with the government’s response ▫ The Metis would receive only bullets, and that 500 troops were on their way • “Justice Commands us to take up arms” –Riel

Conflict Conflagrates! • Only force in Manitoba was at Fort Carlton, and too few to repel any attackers ▫ Reinforcements on the way but too slowly ▫ HBC Factor Lawrence Clark even intentionally delayed the reinforcements, while calling the NWMP Captain a coward �Clark stood to gain from conflict, and agitated at any chance he got • NWMP ride out of Carlton to meet the Metis, things are said, shots fired, Metis take over fort

Fish Creek and Batoche • Canada mobilizes 5000 troops and sends them to Manitoba ▫ Commander splits forces into several groups so as not to be surrounded by Metis/indigenous • Gabriel Dumont ambushes the troops at Fish Creek ▫ South of Batoche, where 300 Metis stopped 1600 ▫ Problem was they were outnumbered and outgunned, Canada had artillery • Three days of fighting sees Metis out of ammo, and forced to surrender or flee

Aftermath • Gabriel Dumont escapes and flees to the United States • Louis Riel surrenders May 15 th • Rebellion is over, 53 soldiers killed, and 35 Metis • Cost of 5 Million for the Canadian Government

Activity: Graffiti • Each table has a piece of paper with a question on it at the top • In your table groups, you will have 3 minutes to answer that question to the best of your knowledge • After 3 minutes, you will rotate clockwise to the next table and repeat the process • Upon reaching your home table, you will present what has been written down

Exit Slip • Using examples covered in the unit so far, do you believe the Metis were right in resisting the government, or did they simply overreact to what was inevitable change? Explain your answer.

Remember! • Two weeks from today the project is due • Any questions feel free to talk to me after class, via email, or sometime next week. • Make-up / first time Quiz Monday either at Lunch or During Class