The Red River Resistance 1870 SS 10 CH

The Red River Resistance 1870 SS 10 CH 4. 4 HORIZONS TEXT PAGES 155 - 162

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

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…

Dr. John The Orange Order 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 Nor. Wester” 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.

Economic problems… 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

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 farmed it, they had the right to it.

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)

Canada Purchases Rupert’s Land John A Macdonald and D’Arcy Mc. Gee 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

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 1869 Rupert’s Land joined the North-Western Territory and the entire area was renamed “The North- West Territories” (see pg 157)

The New Canada After this deal, Canada doubled in size. The HBC received $1. 5 million from the government, and 2. 8 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…

Métis seigneurial land pattern Township settlement pattern Rebellion 3/8/2021 11

Problems brewing… 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…

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

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

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

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!

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…

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

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

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

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. 1. That the people have the right to elect their own legislature. 2. 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. 3. That no act of the Dominion Parliament (local to the Territory) be binding on the people until sanctioned by the Legislature of the Territory. 4. That all Sheriffs, Magistrates, Constables, School Commissioners, etc. , be elected by the people. 5. A free Homestead and Preemption Land law. 6. That a portion of the public lands be appropriated to the benefit of schools, the building of bridges, roads and public buildings. 7. 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. 8. That for the term of four years all military, civil and municipal expenses be paid out of the Dominion funds. 3/8/2021 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. 1. That the Military be composed of the inhabitants now existing in the Territory. 2. 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. 3. That the Judge of the Supreme Court speak the English and French languages. 4. 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. 5. That we have a fair and full representation in the Canadian Parliament. 6. 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. 3/8/2021 Canadian Government AGREES! 22

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

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!

Escape from Fort Garry 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

Thomas 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

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

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 3/8/2021 28

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

Reaction to the Rebellion Ontario Only write this down 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 3/8/2021 30

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 200 000 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 (5 th province). Confederation provided protection for French language, culture, religion. Received about 200 000 ha of land for Métis use.

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

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

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…

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.