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Part 2: Canada After Confederation. At this time, Canada was a new-born Conditions were not good for many citizens Certain Canadians took a stand to make major changes to things that could improve their lives. They were being active citizens . For example: Nelly McClung.
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At this time, Canada was a new-born • Conditions were not good for many citizens • Certain Canadians took a stand to make major changes to things that could improve their lives. They were being active citizens. • For example: Nelly McClung
Emerging Identities • The Metis population in the west was growing quickly • Many lived in Red River, Manitoba. They made up the demographics of the area: characteristics of a group of people living together • They were a mix of FN and Europeans – many “white” Canadians held racist views • The Cree called them “Otipemisiwak” which meant they were their own “bosses”
In Red River, the demo. was mixed: • Country born: children of British and FN • Cree and Anishinabe • Catholic missionaries: built schools and churches • Canadiens: the French • British HBC employees
Metis Identity • Created their own language, art, poetry, music, dance, economy, and values • Language: most knew how to speak French, English, and various FN *some also spoke a mixed language of French and FN called “Michif” • Economy: fur trading, growing crops, hunting buffalo
Music/Art/Dance: Pierre Falcon was a famous poet and songwriter in Red River • Food: the Metis ate “pemmican” – a mix of meat, fat, and berries. It would last a long time, making it good for travelling
Conflict… • A man from Scotland named Lord Selkirk bought land from the HBC that was owned by the Metis • He brought with him a large • group of settlers who had no land • in Scotland • The Metis had no way to prove they “owned” the land, and began to be scared that they would lose it
Reasons for fighting • Selkirk began fighting with the Nor’Westers (French fur traders) over land, and buffalo • The governor even banned the Metis from trading pemmican – a huge part of their economy • The Metis began fighting back by stealing farm equipment, and scaring Scottish settlers. Many left
June 1816 – a group of Metis come to a fur-trading fort to confront the Scottish settlers • After arguing, one settler fired on the Metis. A gunfight broke out • In the end, one Metis and 21 settlers were dead
Migration West • Because the HBC was hunting so much buffalo, they were running out for the Metis • The Metis decided to move West and form new communities
Red River Resistance, 1869 • The West was known as Rupert’s Land, and the Canadian gov’t didn’t think it was useful • 1850’s: gov’t scientists went West, and found out the land was good for farming • The gov’t began to think it would be good for Rupert’s Land to join Canada – good farmland in the East was running out
P.O.V. on the West • George Brown -newspaper owner/writer -believed that the West could make Canada rich • John A. MacDonald -scared that if Canada did not claim the land, the Americans would • First Nations -did not want to give traditional land to the gov’t
In 1869, the Canadian gov’t bought Rupert’s Land from the HBC for $1.5 million • Now, the West was a part of confederation • The Metis became very scared that they would be assimilated
The Metis sent a man named Louis Riel to meet the gov’t surveyors because he spoke English • He ordered the surveyors to leave immediately
Although the surveyors left, the Metis knew they would be back • The Metis then set up a National Committee so they could govern themselves • Next, they took control of Fort Garry, a fur-trading post
They set up a provisional gov’t to temporarily run the area and create a new province of Manitoba • They chose Louis Riel to lead it • Their first step: they set up their own Bill of Rights – a document which tried to negotiate with the Canadian gov’t and protect the Metis
The Bill of Rights • Both French and English would be spoken – and written – in the government • The province could create its own laws • The Metis would own the land • Officials would be elected by the people • Treaties would be agreed on for the First Nations
Some English groups tried to stop the Metis • They attacked the Metis, but were captured • One man, Thomas Scott, threatened Louis Riel. He was executed • English Canadians were furious • French Canadians in the East supported the Metis, which created violence between the English and French there